Real Madrid are reportedly preparing to put forward a bid for Manchester City midfielder Rodri, the Spanish World Cup-winning captain. Sources close to the Spanish club say that initial discussions with City have already taken place, as the Merengues look to secure the services of one of the Premier League's most highly regarded central midfielders. The estimated fee being floated ranges between £43 million and £51 million (approximately €50 million to €60 million), a figure that reflects the fact that Rodri has only a single year remaining on his current contract with City. Manchester City, however, are not eager to part with their midfield linchpin.
The club’s hierarchy is reportedly focused on negotiating a long‑term extension with Rodri, hoping to lock the player down for the foreseeable future. The midfielder recently underwent successful back surgery on a Monday and is now in the recovery phase.
As a result, he is expected to miss the upcoming Community Shield as well as City’s opening Premier League fixture of the new season. The speculation around the potential move comes at a time when Real Madrid are looking to address criticism that they have been under‑represented in the Spanish national team under President Florentino Pérez. Pérez, who was re‑elected earlier this year, has faced scrutiny for the lack of Spanish internationals in the squad, and adding a player of Rodri’s calibre would be a direct response to those concerns. The club has already bolstered its ranks by signing Chelsea full‑back Marc Cucurella this summer, and insiders suggest there is a strong consensus within the Real Madrid camp that securing Rodri would be a logical next step.
City’s own plans for the midfield are also evolving. The English club is reportedly advancing negotiations for Lille and Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, a promising young talent who could provide additional depth. Meanwhile, the emergence of Elliot Anderson, a 23‑year‑old English midfielder, is being highlighted as a potential future replacement for Bernardo Silva, who is rumored to be on the radar of Real Madrid. Anderson’s development is being closely monitored, with many believing he could eventually fill the void left by a departing Silva, though he is still a step away from the commanding presence that Rodri brings to the centre of the park.
Former football pundits have weighed in on the situation. Jamie Carragher of Sky Sports remarked, “£40‑50 million?
If you’re Manchester City, why would you even consider selling him? You might as well keep him for the extra year. He’s arguably the best in that position in the Premier League, perhaps the best in the world.
Watching him at the World Cup, he was back to his absolute best.” Carragher continued, “The second half of the season, he and Bernardo Silva were fantastic and almost took City to the title. If I were the manager, I’d keep Rodri at that price. It would have to be something truly extraordinary to convince me to let go of arguably the best midfield player in world football.” He also noted the financial angle, stating, “City paid £60 million for him. If they’re getting £40 million back now, that’s not a huge sum to reinvest, so I’d rather keep him.” Laura Hunter, also of Sky Sports, emphasized Rodri’s importance, saying, “Despite his age and recent injury history, Rodri remains the most complete central midfielder to have played in the Premier League over the past five years.
Pep Guardiola has called him ‘the best midfielder in the world by far.’ Under Guardiola, City’s in‑play strategy revolved around him; his ball‑control, ability to receive under pressure, and tempo‑setting capabilities were essential to their success, and the same qualities powered Spain’s triumph at the World Cup.” She added, “There is no current player who can dictate a game like Rodri, and it’s no coincidence City failed to retain the Premier League crown in the two seasons he was injury‑plagued.” The potential departure of Rodri would leave a significant gap in City’s midfield. While Elliot Anderson shows promise as a box‑to‑box midfielder, he is still developing and has not yet reached the level of influence that Rodri commands.
The club will need to consider whether a combination of Anderson’s growth, potential signings like Bouaddi, and perhaps a tactical shift could compensate for the loss. Real Madrid’s interest in Rodri also aligns with their broader strategic aims. The club is seeking to reinforce its midfield dominance in both domestic and European competitions.
Adding a player of Rodri’s stature would not only strengthen their squad depth but also send a clear signal of intent to rival clubs across Europe. Moreover, securing a Spanish international who has proven himself on the world stage would enhance the club’s image domestically and potentially sway national team selection dynamics in their favour.
In summary, the transfer saga surrounding Rodri is shaping up to be a pivotal storyline for both Manchester City and Real Madrid this summer. City appear determined to retain their talismanic midfielder, aiming to negotiate a new long‑term contract, while Real Madrid are prepared to meet the estimated £43‑£51 million valuation to bring the Spanish captain to the Bernabéu. The outcome will have significant implications for the midfield compositions of both clubs, the financial strategies involved, and the broader narrative of Spanish representation at the highest levels of club football.