Real Madrid are reportedly preparing to put forward a bid for Manchester City’s midfield lynchpin, Rodri. Sources close to the Spanish giants say that preliminary discussions have already taken place with City officials about the possibility of acquiring the Spanish World Cup-winning captain, according to Sky Sports News. The club from the capital is said to be ready to meet a valuation in the region of £43 million to £51 million (approximately €50 million to €60 million), reflecting the fact that Rodri has only a single year remaining on his current contract.
Such a price tag would make him one of the most expensive midfielders on the market this summer, underscoring how highly Real value his blend of defensive discipline, passing range and tactical intelligence. Manchester City, however, have made it clear that they are not inclined to let the player go.
The club’s hierarchy is reportedly working on a long‑term extension that would keep Rodri at the Etihad for several more seasons, aiming to lock down the player who has become the cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s side. Rodri’s recent medical update adds another layer to the saga. The Spanish international underwent successful back surgery on Monday and is now in the rehabilitation phase. The procedure means he will miss the upcoming Community Shield as well as City’s opening Premier League fixture, a setback for both the club and the player as they look to start the new campaign on a high note.
Sky Sports encourages fans to follow their WhatsApp channel for the latest breaking news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and exclusive features on this developing story and other sports headlines. City’s ambition is to have Rodri lead the squad into the era of new head coach Enzo Maresca, but Real Madrid appear poised to make a decisive move.
Florentino Pérez, who has recently been re‑elected as Real’s president, faced criticism for the club’s limited representation in the Spanish national team. Securing the World Cup‑winning captain would not only bolster the squad but also address that criticism by adding a player who is a proven leader on the international stage. The Spanish club has already completed the signing of left‑back Marc Cucurella from Chelsea this summer, and insiders suggest that the board and the coaching staff are unanimously supportive of a potential Rodri acquisition. The move would complement the existing midfield options and provide a natural successor to the departing Bernardo Silva, who is rumored to be heading to Real as well.
In related transfer news, Manchester City are reportedly advancing talks for Lille and Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, a young talent who could add depth to the midfield pool should Rodri eventually depart. Jamie Carragher of Sky Sports weighed in on the financial aspect, stating: “£40‑50 million? If you’re Manchester City, why would you sell 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 after his World Cup performances. The second half of last season, he and Bernardo Silva were fantastic and almost clinched the title for City.” Carragher continued, “If I were the City manager, I’d hold onto Rodri at that price. It would take something truly extraordinary to convince me to let go of arguably the finest midfield player in world football.” Carragher also highlighted the difficulty City would face without Rodri, noting that while the squad has depth, the Spanish midfielder’s unique blend of defensive solidity and ball‑progression is hard to replace.
He mentioned the arrival of Elliot Anderson, who could learn from Rodri and potentially fill the void left by Silva’s departure, but stressed that the gap would still be significant. Laura Hunter, also of Sky Sports, praised Rodri’s consistency despite his age and recent injury history, calling him “the most complete central midfielder to have played in the Premier League over the past five years.” She quoted Pep Guardiola’s endorsement, “the best midfielder in the world by far.” Under Guardiola, City’s in‑play tactics have revolved around Rodri’s ability to receive the ball in tight spaces, dictate tempo and control the flow of the game, a role he replicated for a triumphant Spain at the recent World Cup.
Hunter added that there is currently no player in the Premier League who can condition a match the way Rodri does, and it is no coincidence that City missed out on the league title in the two seasons when he was sidelined by injury. She questioned how City will replace him, pointing to Elliot Anderson as a potential surrogate. While Anderson is not yet the “dictator” that Rodri is, his box‑to‑box style and emerging statistics suggest he could evolve into a comparable figure. In summary, Real Madrid’s interest in Rodri appears genuine and financially backed, while Manchester City are determined to retain their midfield maestro through a new contract.
The outcome will hinge on negotiations, Rodri’s recovery timeline, and the strategic priorities of both clubs as they shape their squads for the upcoming season. The transfer window promises to be an intriguing battleground for two of Europe’s biggest football institutions.