Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is preparing to reject an £80m bid from Real Madrid for World Cup winner Rodri, as the Spain captain enters the final 12 months of his contract at the Etihad.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has made the 30-year-old a top priority and is willing to go as high as £100m, according to sources. But City are determined to hold firm, with new manager Enzo Maresca having made Rodri's retention a non-negotiable condition when he negotiated his own deal six months ago.
“Man City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak to reject Real Madrid's £80m bid for Rodri as contract standoff continues.”
Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola, views the defensive midfielder as the cornerstone of his rebuild, particularly to help integrate £116m signing Elliot Anderson into the side. City are still hopeful of agreeing a new deal, but Rodri has long harboured ambitions to play for Real Madrid before retiring and could run down his contract, leaving for free next summer.
The midfielder's stock has never been higher after captaining Spain to World Cup glory in North America this summer, adding to a glittering trophy cabinet that includes 13 major honours, the Treble in 2023 and the 2024 Ballon d'Or — an award he is favourite to win again.
However, there are conflicting signals from Spain. The Standard reports that Real Madrid may no longer be keen on a move for Rodri, despite the club's earlier interest. That assessment has been dismissed by the Mirror, which insists Perez is preparing to test City's resolve with a formal offer.
Rodri joined City from Atlético Madrid for £62.6m in 2019 and has become one of the most decorated players in the club's history. Now, with his future unresolved, the next few weeks will determine whether he remains at the heart of Maresca's project or takes the first step towards a dream move to the Bernabéu.