The Spanish heavyweights are considering a top midfield player ahead of the 2026-27 campaign and Rodri tops their wish list. The 29-year-old has become one of Manchester City’s most important players since arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2019, maintaining Pep Guardiola’s tactical structure along with his positional discipline and stellar ball control.
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As the team’s deep pivot, the Spanish international controls the pace of the game, interrupts the other team’s transitions and often initiates attacking phases with progressive distribution.
Rodri’s role has been vital to City’s continued success on domestic, European and global fronts over the years, with the midfielder notably scoring the goal that secured the Blues’ first UEFA Champions League title in 2023. That consistency has inevitably caught the attention of other elite clubs.
Rodri considering Real Madrid transfer from Manchester City, confirms Fabrizio Romano
What has been reported about Real Madrid’s interest in Manchester City star Rodri?
According to Spanish journalist Alberto Pereiro, on Radioestadio Noche de Onda Cero, Real Madrid sees the Spaniard as a fundamental objective for the next phase of the evolution of its squad.
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“The first 100 million euros that Real Madrid wants to spend this summer are on Rodrigo Hernández and (Nico) Schlotterbeck,” said Pereiro, quoted by Mundo Deportivo and broadcast by Sport Witness. “Whether Madrid makes more signings depends on what they sell this summer.”
Pereiro stated that Madrid have set aside around €100 million to pursue Rodri and strengthen their defence. However, the report does not specify the amount that Real Madrid have allocated to offer Manchester City for their midfield maestro.
Initially, Borussia Dortmund’s Schlotterbeck was one of Real Madrid’s top targets in defence, but later reports from Sport Witness suggested that the La Liga side could be more interested in Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté.
Could Rodri really leave Manchester City this summer?
Real Madrid’s long-term recruitment strategy has primarily focused on finding new talent, but signing Rodri would be a visible change from that focus. Although the City midfielder will turn 30 in June, Santiago Bernabéu executives see his experience, leadership and tactical intelligence as qualities that can quickly improve the balance of the midfield.
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Rodri’s contractual situation at Manchester City may also influence the circumstances. His current contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in 2027 and if talks over an extension do not progress, the situation could, in theory, open a window for negotiations. It is not worth it that the Spaniard’s father recently said that “he knows nothing” about his son’s future.
Manchester City, however, are under little financial pressure to sell Rodri. The club has the resources to retain important players until the end of their contracts. This situation is especially true for players who are important to Guardiola’s tactical system. Thus, any possible transfer would depend a lot on what Rodri wants and the financial limits set by City.
Real Madrid aims for a 50 million euro deal for the Manchester City midfielder
What would be Manchester City’s assessment of Rodri?
Rodri’s current market value is around €75 million, according to Transfermarkt, less than Madrid would be willing to spend on a transfer. It is unclear whether the Spanish giants will actually spend a significant amount of that money on the midfielder, especially as their focus on reshaping their defense may affect how they spend it.
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For now, the situation is still in the exploratory stage. The fact that Real Madrid are interested in Rodri highlights that he remains one of the best midfielders in Europe, but any move would require an alignment between the player, Manchester City and the Spanish club’s long-term planning.
Until such a situation arises, the Etihad Stadium remains the stage where Rodri continues to shape games and define the pace of Manchester City.