Rodri's £51million exit follows the departure of Tijjani Reijnders, who is leaving for Saudi side Al-Qadsiah in a deal worth £52million, and comes after Bernardo Silva's exit earlier in the summer.
Manchester City have already brought in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116million, but new manager Enzo Maresca wants further reinforcements through the middle of the pitch before the window closes.
City have yet to decide whether to test Chelsea's resolve over a move for Enzo Fernandez. The Blues set a 5pm deadline last Friday for any bid to meet their then £120million asking price for the Argentine, who was a key figure under Maresca during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea now expect their vice-captain to stay for the season, though that could change if City return with a serious approach, and their valuation is understood to have risen since the deadline passed.
Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Moroccan international, remains an option, with Lille valuing him at around £85million. A move for Wharton also remains possible, though Palace's asking price for the England midfielder is unclear; City are expected to be guided by the reported £100million-plus package that took Anderson to the Etihad Stadium.
City's midfield rebuild reflects the scale of turnover at the club this summer under Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola and inherits a squad reshaped by several major departures and arrivals in the middle of the park.
Rodri's exit ends a seven-year spell at the Etihad Stadium during which he made 298 appearances and won 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League. His departure, combined with Reijnders' switch to Saudi Arabia after just one season following a £46.5million move from AC Milan, leaves City with a markedly different midfield profile heading into the new campaign compared with 12 months ago.
Anderson's arrival gives Maresca one established Premier League presence to build around, but City's willingness to move for both Wharton and Bouaddi suggests the club sees this as a summer for wholesale reconstruction in that area of the pitch rather than a single marquee signing.