Real Madrid’s hierarchy have been watching this summer’s World Cup with great enthusiasm, and their interest in Spain’s standout midfielder Rodri has intensified after he was crowned the tournament’s best player. The English club’s metronome in midfield will become a free agent in twelve months, yet the Spaniards are eager to secure his services immediately, and the sentiment appears to be mutual. In March, Rodri revealed on a Spanish radio programme that he harbours a desire to return to LaLiga, adding that "you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world." Manchester City are keen to keep him, offering an upgraded contract, but the pull of the Bernabéu and the prestige of Real Madrid present a compelling proposition. Los Blancos have tracked Rodri for some time, and his performances for the national side have quieted any lingering doubts about the long‑term impact of his previous knee injury.
Pep Guardiola’s former assistant, José Mourinho, values seasoned campaigners in his squad, and Rodri belongs to the rare breed of players who have collected every major trophy available. Manchester City, meanwhile, have already splashed a club‑record fee on youngster Elliot Anderson. Although Anderson is not a ready‑made replica of Rodri, his potential is evident, and the club can view a future sale of Rodri – especially with the player now in his thirties and only a year left on a contract that is not slated for renewal – as a financially sensible move.
Extracting a sizable fee for a player in the final year of his deal would be a pragmatic, if reluctant, decision. City’s transfer philosophy over recent seasons has required a cold, calculated approach toward players approaching the end of their cycles. Knowing when to let go – as demonstrated with the departures of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and John Stones – has been essential to the club’s ongoing rebuild. In Rodri’s case, securing a transfer fee could be seen as the silver lining of an otherwise difficult situation.
Current reports suggest Real Madrid are preparing an offer in the region of £43 million‑£51 million (approximately €50 million‑€60 million). Manchester City, however, remain hopeful that the midfielder will commit to a long‑term extension. Pep Guardiola has repeatedly described Rodri as "by far the best midfielder in the world." Under his guidance, City’s style of play revolved around Rodri’s ability to dictate tempo, retain possession under pressure and distribute the ball with precision.
He acted as the team’s metronome, setting the rhythm for both club and country, and his absence was keenly felt during the two Premier League campaigns in which injuries limited his involvement. Replacing a player of Rodri’s calibre is no simple task. Elliot Anderson, the 23‑year‑old England international, offers a glimpse of a possible successor.
While Anderson is not yet the dictatorial presence that Rodri provides, his box‑to‑box energy and developing passing range suggest he could evolve into a comparable role. His efficiency on the ball will be nurtured by the experienced midfielders around him, allowing a more progressive style to flourish in line with City’s philosophy. Rodri’s hallmark has been his line‑breaking passes, a skill set that proves vital against tightly packed Premier League defences. Anderson will need to broaden his passing repertoire to emulate Rodri’s range, but his off‑the‑ball work rate already stacks up favourably.
Head coach Enzo Maresca will likely be pleased with Anderson’s coachability and willingness to adapt. Should Rodri depart, City will need to reinforce the midfield, possibly by targeting multiple players rather than a single replacement. The club has already begun to mitigate reliance on Rodri since his ACL injury in 2024, experimenting with a more diversified midfield structure. Players such as Bernardo Silva, who provided industriousness, and temporary stand‑ins like Tijjani Reijnders, Nico González and Nico O’Reilly, helped fill the void last season and remain viable options for Maresca.
The question remains whether these measures constitute a short‑term patch or a long‑term strategic shift. Anderson shares Rodri’s tendency to cover extensive ground, but at Nottingham Forest he was supported by Ibrahim Sangaré.
Maresca prefers a dual‑pivot system, pairing a traditional No 6 with a more liberated No 8, which could suit Anderson’s hybrid profile. Another potential target is Lille’s teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. At just 18, the French‑Algerian displayed a blend of technical skill, ball‑carrying ability and physical strength during Morocco’s World Cup run, catching the eye of City’s scouting network as a player with Premier League potential.
Rodri distinguishes himself from many midfield anchors by anticipating opposition movements, allowing him to regain possession through intelligent positioning rather than brute tackling. This anticipatory style enables City to maintain control, momentum and possession, a hallmark of Guardiola’s tempered approach.
Maresca, however, favours a slightly more direct philosophy, stretching the game by exploiting the pace of wingers to widen the pitch and accelerate build‑up play. In this system, central midfielders may need to work harder off the ball, but the emphasis shifts away from pure passing mastery toward collective dynamism. Anderson can still operate proactively from deep, supported by technically gifted teammates who can relieve some of the pressure and create space for quicker transitions.
Losing Rodri would deprive City of their most effective controller and a player with invaluable experience. It would be a double blow, as Bernardo Silva’s departure would also remove a player Guardiola described as his "favourite one" due to his tactical intelligence and adaptability. Nevertheless, Manchester City are no strangers to navigating the departure of iconic figures. The club thrived after the exits of Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and David Silva, each of whom left a lasting legacy but also opened pathways for new talent.
Anderson will inherit considerable pressure to fill Rodri’s shoes, yet his credentials suggest he possesses the tools to succeed. While he will miss the chance to refine his game alongside one of the world’s best, he gains an opportunity to step into that very role and carve out his own legacy at the heart of one of football’s most ambitious projects.