Real Madrid’s hierarchy have shown a pronounced fascination with the recent World Cup, a fascination that has translated into a concrete pursuit of Spain’s midfield lynchpin Rodri, who was crowned the tournament’s best player. While Manchester City could retain the English side’s metronome for another twelve months without a transfer fee, the Spaniard’s desire to return to LaLiga appears to be strong, and the allure of the Spanish giants is proving difficult to resist.
In March, Rodri revealed on a Spanish radio programme that he was keen to head back to his homeland, remarking, “You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.” City, aware of his value, are keen to keep him by offering an improved contract, yet the pull of Real Madrid – a club that has long admired his qualities – remains compelling. Los Blancos have monitored Rodri for years, and his performances for the national side have allayed any lingering doubts about the long‑term impact of his previous knee injury. Pep Guardiola’s former assistant, now Manchester City manager Pepijn Maresca, values seasoned campaigners in his squad, and Rodri fits that mould perfectly – a rare player who has already collected every major trophy at club level.
City have already broken their transfer record to bring in Elliot Anderson, a promising 23‑year‑old English midfielder. Although Anderson is not a ready‑made replica of Rodri, his potential is evident, and he could develop into a comparable deep‑lying playmaker.
From a business perspective, cashing in on a player in his early thirties with only a year left on a non‑renewed contract would be a shrewd move for City, even if it feels reluctant. The club’s transfer philosophy over recent seasons has demanded a pragmatic approach when dealing with players approaching the end of their cycles. Letting go of stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and John Stones at the right moment has allowed City to reinvest and refresh the squad.
In Rodri’s case, securing a sizable fee would be the silver lining of an otherwise painful departure. Sources suggest Real Madrid are preparing an offer in the region of £43 million‑£51 million (€50 million‑€60 million). Meanwhile, City remain hopeful that the Spaniard will sign a fresh, long‑term deal, preserving the core of their midfield. Regardless of the financials, Rodri’s importance cannot be overstated.
At 31, despite recent injury setbacks, he is still widely regarded as the most complete central midfielder to have graced the Premier League in the last half‑decade. Pep Guardiola has repeatedly described him as “by far the best midfielder in the world.” Under Guardiola’s system, the City side revolved around Rodri’s ability to dictate tempo, retain possession in tight spaces and control the flow of the game – a role he replicated for a triumphant Spain at the World Cup. When Rodri is unavailable, City have historically struggled to maintain the same level of dominance. The club’s two‑season Premier League title drought coincided with periods when he was sidelined by injury, underscoring his influence on the team’s success.
If Rodi departs, how will City replace him? The answer may lie in Elliot Anderson, who, while not yet the dictatorial presence of Rodri, possesses many of the attributes required of a modern box‑to‑box midfielder. Anderson’s statistical output at Nottingham Forest suggests he can cover significant ground, contribute defensively and support the attack. Moreover, his development will be accelerated by training alongside seasoned professionals in City’s first‑team environment.
Rodri’s hallmark is his ability to break lines with incisive passes, a skill that is vital against compact Premier League defences. Anderson will need to broaden his passing range to emulate Rodri’s vision, but his off‑the‑ball work rate already compares favourably.
Maresca, known for his coaching acumen, will likely be pleased with Anderson’s willingness to learn and adapt. City’s recruitment strategy may involve bringing in multiple players to fill the void left by Rodri.
The club has already begun to diversify its midfield options following his ACL injury in 2024. Players such as Tijjani Reijnders, Nico González and Nico O’Reilly provided valuable cover last season, and they remain viable options for Maresca’s rotating squad. The question remains whether these stop‑gap measures constitute a short‑term fix or a long‑term blueprint. Anderson’s style mirrors Rodri’s in that he can operate as both a deep‑lying playmaker and a box‑to‑box presence.
At Forest, he was supported by Ibrahim Sangaré, offering a glimpse of how a two‑pivot system could function at City. Maresca prefers a dual‑midfield configuration, pairing a traditional No 6 with a more liberated No 8, which could suit Anderson’s evolving profile. Another potential target is Lille’s teenage prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18‑year‑old impressed at the World Cup with a blend of technical skill, ball‑carrying ability and physical strength, drawing praise for his suitability to the Premier League.
City have reportedly been monitoring his progress, and he could represent a long‑term investment in midfield depth. Rodri distinguishes himself from many anchormen by anticipating opposition movements, allowing him to intercept and regain possession without relying solely on tackles.
This anticipatory play enables City to retain control, momentum and possession, a hallmark of Guardiola’s tempered, possession‑based approach. Maresca, however, favours a slightly more direct style, seeking to stretch the pitch by exploiting the pace of his wingers. This philosophy could see City adopt a higher‑pressing, quicker‑transition system, reducing the reliance on a single deep‑lying maestro and distributing creative responsibilities across the midfield.
Losing Rodri would mean surrendering the team’s primary controller and a player with a wealth of tactical intelligence. It would be a double blow, as Bernardo Silva’s departure would also remove a player Guardiola described as his “favourite one” for his tactical versatility and understanding of various game states. Nevertheless, City are no strangers to navigating transitions away from iconic figures.
The club thrived after the departures of Sergio Agüero, Yaya Touré and David Silva, each time rebuilding and securing further trophies. The same resilience could be applied to the current midfield overhaul. Anderson will inherit significant pressure to perform in Rodri’s wake, but his credentials suggest he can rise to the occasion. While he missed the chance to refine his game alongside one of the world’s best, he now has the opportunity to carve out his own legacy as a central figure in a Manchester City side that continues to evolve under Maresca’s guidance.