City target Jay Rodriguez will be costly

Southampton who will again attempt to fend-off interest in a number of key players in the summer have put a very steep price tag on Jay Rodriguez despite the player having been out of action for a year.Rodriguez ruptured his right knee ligament in the match against Manchester City last April but is slowly on the mend with a report in the Daily Star suggesting the player is close to training with the first team. Koeman is optimistic that Rodriguez may feature in a comeback game before the end of the season and is backing his recovery.Southampton play Manchester City in their final game of the season so should he recover in time City will have an opportunity to have a proper look at the player before making a decision. The report states that City are looking at hitting their home-grown player quota and think that the player who scored 17 goals last season could fit in at the Etihad.The report in the Star states that Southampton have placed a £20million valuation on the player with interest mounting from Spurs and Manchester City. The 25-year-old forward started his senior career with his home club Burnley in 2007, joining Southampton in 2012 where he has gone on to make 76 appearances in all competitions and scoring 26 goals.Rodriguez made his international debut in 2013 but is yet to add to his single England cap.

Source: DSG