Real Madrid’s hierarchy have been watching this summer’s World Cup with great enthusiasm, and their interest has sharpened enough to spark a genuine pursuit of Spain’s midfield maestro Rodri, who was crowned the tournament’s best player. While Manchester City could afford to lose the English club’s metronome on a free transfer after his contract expires next summer, the Spaniard appears eager to make the move now, and the feeling seems to be mutual.
In March, Rodri revealed on a Spanish radio programme that he harbours a longing to return to LaLiga, saying, "You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world." City are keen to keep him by offering an improved contract, yet the pull of Real Madrid – a club that has long coveted his services – is difficult to resist. Los Blancos have tracked Rodri for years, and his performances for the national side have silenced any lingering doubts about the long‑term impact of his previous knee injury.
Manager José Mourinho values seasoned campaigners in his squad, and Rodri belongs to the rare breed of players who have lifted every major trophy available. Manchester City have already broken their own transfer record to bring in Elliot Anderson. Though Anderson is not a ready‑made replica of Rodri, his potential is evident.
From a business standpoint, extracting a sizable fee for a player in his early thirties with just one year left on a contract that the club does not intend to renew would be a shrewd, if reluctant, move. City’s transfer policy in recent seasons has required a cold, calculated approach to players nearing the end of their cycles. Knowing when to let go – as they have 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 to £51 million (€50 million‑€60 million), while City continue to hope the midfielder will sign a fresh long‑term deal. 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, receive the ball in tight spaces and control the flow of the game. He performed the same function for a triumphant Spain at the World Cup, proving that no current player can condition a match the way he does.
It is no coincidence that City failed to retain the Premier League title in the two seasons when Rodri was sidelined by injury. So how does City replace a player of that calibre? Enter Elliot Anderson, a 23‑year‑old England international who offers a glimpse of what a Rodri successor could look like. While Anderson is not yet the dictatorial presence Rodri provides, his box‑to‑box energy and statistical output suggest he can evolve into a comparable figure.
Sharing a dressing‑room with seasoned professionals will accelerate his development, allowing him to adopt a more progressive midfield role that aligns with City’s philosophy. Rodri’s hallmark – incisive line‑breaking passes – is vital against tightly packed Premier League defences. Anderson will need to broaden his passing range to emulate that aspect, but his off‑the‑ball work already rates favourably, and head coach Enzo Maresca has praised his coachability.
City will likely need to reinforce multiple positions to plug the Rodri void. The club has already begun implementing a formula to reduce reliance on a single deep‑lying playmaker, a lesson learned after Rodri’s ACL injury in 2024.
Players such as Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, Nico González and Nico O’Reilly provided valuable cover last season, and Maresca still has those options at his disposal. Whether these measures represent a short‑term fix or a long‑term strategy remains to be seen. Anderson, like Rodri, covers the ground of two midfielders, but at Nottingham Forest he benefitted from the assistance of Ibrahim Sangaré.
Maresca prefers a system with two deep‑lying midfielders – a traditional No 6 paired with a more liberated No 8 – which could accommodate Anderson’s development. Another potential target is Lille’s 18‑year‑old Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The youngster impressed at the World Cup with Morocco, showcasing a blend of technical skill, ball‑carrying ability and physical strength that suits the Premier League. City have shown admiration for his profile, and he could become a long‑term project to complement Anderson. Rodri distinguishes himself from most midfield anchors by anticipating opponents’ movements, allowing him to win possession through pressure and interceptions rather than brute tackles.
This intelligence enables City to retain control, momentum and possession, a hallmark of Guardiola’s tempered style. Maresca, however, favours a slightly more direct approach, using the pace of wingers to stretch the pitch and accelerate build‑up play.
Under this system, central midfielders may need to work harder off the ball, but the emphasis shifts away from being pure pass‑masters. Anderson can still operate proactively from deep, supported by technically gifted teammates who alleviate the burden of possession and create space for incisive runs.
Maresca’s challenge is that he has never managed a side built around a player like Rodri. His tactical blueprint must evolve to control matches in a different manner, likely by adopting a higher‑pressing, more proactive system that dominates territory earlier in the game. Losing Rodri would mean surrendering the best controller of tempo and a player with a wealth of experience – a double blow for City. Bernardo Silva’s departure would also be significant, as he was Guardiola’s "favourite one" due to his deep tactical understanding of every system and game state.
Nevertheless, City are no strangers to transitioning away from star players who defined previous eras. They have thrived after the exits of Sergio Agüero, Yaya Touré and David Silva, securing further titles. Anderson now faces immense pressure to fill Rodri’s shoes, but he possesses the credentials to succeed.
While he will miss the chance to refine his game alongside one of the world’s elite, he gains the opportunity to become a leading figure himself, potentially emerging as the next midfield lynchpin for Manchester City.