Manchester City are bracing for a bid from Real Madrid for Rodri, with the 30-year-old World Cup-winning midfielder yet to sign the new contract the club have had on the table for a while. City remain hopeful Rodri will agree fresh terms before his current deal expires next June, but Real have altered their previous stance of not being interested after the Spaniard’s hugely impressive displays as captain of Spain’s triumphant World Cup campaign – he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. According to the Guardian, Real are understood to be preparing an offer.
Rodri himself signalled a desire to play for Real Madrid in March. “Having played for Atlético before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid,” he said. “There are other players who have done that before. Maybe not direct transfers, but eventually. You can’t turn down one of the world’s best clubs.” The midfielder is to undergo surgery on a back injury after returning to England from North America, but his reliability during the summer has allayed concern regarding his physical robustness after two injury-plagued seasons.
“Real Madrid prepare bid for Rodri as City hope for new deal; Crystal Palace target teenage defender Le Guen.”
Real may need to generate finance to sign Rodri – especially if, as expected, they sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a fee “well in excess” of €100m (£85m) – which could mean the sale of Aurélien Tchouaméni. The 26-year-old Frenchman is thought to have agreed a new contract with Real though it has not been announced; his current deal ends in summer 2028. Manchester United retain an interest in Tchouaméni but earlier in the window were unsure if the fee Real would demand – around £70m – was within their budget. Tchouaméni’s teammate Eduardo Camavinga is also on United’s radar and would cost €50m-€60m.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Brest centre-back Raphael Le Guen. The 19-year-old defender is on the Eagles’ radar as Maxence Lacroix’s move to Chelsea edges closer. Le Guen made his debut for Brest in the 2025-26 season and made six appearances in Ligue 1, starting the final four matches of the campaign including games against Paris St-Germain and Strasbourg. Palace have had success signing young centre-backs from France: 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot arrived from Toulouse last season and stepped into the side after the departure of captain Marc Guehi. Palace are also interested in Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima as a potential replacement for Lacroix. The 24-year-old former France youth international is open to a move to Selhurst Park, where he would work under compatriot Pierre Sage, appointed Palace head coach earlier this summer.