Real Madrid’s hierarchy have been watching this summer’s World Cup with intense focus, a fascination that has now driven them to target Spain’s midfield linchpin Rodri after his selection as the tournament’s best player. While Manchester City would have seen the Spanish international become a free agent in a year’s time, the Spanish giants are keen to secure his services immediately, and the interest appears to be reciprocated.
In a March interview on a Spanish radio programme, Rodri openly expressed a longing to return to LaLiga, stating, "You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world." City, aware of his value, are eager to keep him by offering an upgraded contract, yet the pull of Real Madrid’s prestige and the chance to play for the club of his homeland present a compelling proposition. Los Blancos have monitored Rodri for some time, and his performances for Spain – where he has emerged as a quiet yet decisive star – have allayed earlier worries about the lingering effects of his knee injury. Manager Jose Mourinho values seasoned campaigners in the spine of his squad, and Rodri belongs to the rare breed of players who have already collected every major trophy at club level. Manchester City have already broken their own transfer record to acquire Elliot Anderson, a promising youngster who is not yet a finished replacement but whose ceiling is high.
From a purely business perspective, extracting a substantial fee for a player in his early thirties with only a single year left on a contract that the club does not intend to renew would be a shrewd, if reluctant, move. City’s recent transfer policy has required a cool, calculated approach to players approaching the end of their cycles.
Knowing when to let go – as they have recently done with Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and John Stones – has been essential to their rebuilding strategy. In Rodri’s case, securing a transfer fee would be the silver lining to an otherwise painful departure. Reports suggest Real Madrid are preparing an offer in the region of £43 million‑£51 million (€50 million‑€60 million), while City continue to hope the Spaniard will commit to a new long‑term deal. Regardless of the financials, Rodri remains, despite his age and recent injury record, the most complete central midfielder to have plied his trade in the Premier League over the last five years.
Pep Guardiola has repeatedly described him as "by far the best midfielder in the world." Under Guardiola, City’s in‑play rhythm revolved around Rodri’s ability to receive the ball in tight spaces, dictate tempo and control the tempo of matches – a role he replicated for a triumphant Spain at the World Cup. No current player can influence a game quite like Rodi does, and it is no coincidence that City missed out on the Premier League title in the two seasons when he was sidelined by injuries.
The question now is how the club will replace him. Elliot Anderson offers a potential surrogate. The 23‑year‑old England international is not yet the dictatorial presence Rodri provides, but his box‑to‑box energy and developing statistical output suggest he could evolve into a comparable figure. His possession efficiency will improve as he continues to train alongside seasoned professionals, allowing a more progressive midfielder to flourish within City’s style.
Rodri’s hallmark has been his line‑breaking passes, a skill set that is vital against the compact defenses typical of the Premier League. Anderson will need to broaden his passing repertoire to match Rodri’s range, yet his off‑the‑ball work rate already compares favourably. Head coach Enzo Maresca should be pleased with his coachability.
If Rodri departs, City will likely need to recruit more than one player to fill the void. Fortunately, the club has already begun to implement a formula to reduce reliance on a single deep‑lying midfielder following Rodri’s ACL injury in 2024. The groundwork was laid long before any potential exit; Bernardo Silva’s industriousness was a key factor, while other stand‑ins such as Tijjani Reijnders, Nico González and Nico O’Reilly provided valuable cover last season. Those options remain available to Maresca.
Whether this constitutes a short‑term patch or a long‑term strategic shift is still open to debate. Anderson, like Rodri, can cover the ground of two midfielders, but at Nottingham Forest he benefited from the presence of Ibrahim Sangaré. Maresca prefers a double‑pivot system, pairing a traditional No 6 with a more adventurous No 8, which could accommodate Anderson’s hybrid profile.
Another prospect on City’s radar is Lille’s 18‑year‑old Ayyoub Bouaddi. The young French‑Moroccan impressed at the World Cup with a blend of technical skill, ball‑carrying ability and physical strength, traits that suggest he could adapt to the Premier League. City’s scouting network has reportedly taken a keen interest in his development. Rodri distinguishes himself from many midfield anchors by his anticipatory reading of opposition movements.
Rather than relying on tackles, he often wins the ball through intelligent positioning, pressing and interceptions, allowing City to retain control, momentum and possession – a hallmark of Guardiola’s tempered style. Maresca, however, favours a slightly different philosophy. He aims to be more direct, using the pace of wingers to stretch the pitch and accelerate the build‑up. This shift would demand central midfielders to work harder off the ball, though they would no longer need to be pure pass‑masters.
Anderson can still operate proactively from deep, but he will be supported by a host of technically gifted teammates who can share the creative load. It is also worth noting that Maresca has never managed a side built around a single midfield fulcrum like Rodri. His tactical blueprint must evolve to control matches through alternative means, likely incorporating a higher‑pressing approach to dominate territory earlier in the game.
Losing Rodri would mean losing City’s premier controller and a player with a wealth of experience – a double blow. His competitive edge is something opponents would rather face than endure.
Bernardo Silva’s departure would be equally significant; he was Guardiola’s "favourite one" because of his unique tactical intelligence and adaptability to every system and game state. Nevertheless, City are no strangers to transitioning away from era‑defining stars. The club thrived after the retirement of Sergio Aguero, secured more titles following Yaya Touré’s exit, and continued to win after David Silva’s departure. Anderson will inherit immense pressure to perform in Rodri’s wake, but he possesses the credentials to succeed.
While he may miss the chance to hone his craft alongside one of the world’s best, he also gains the opportunity to step into that very role and carve out his own legacy.