Manchester City are preparing for the possibility that their midfield anchor, Rodri, could leave the club next summer. The 30-year-old Spain international is entering the final year of his contract, which expires in June 2027, and despite months of negotiations, he has yet to sign the new deal City have had on the table for some time. Now Real Madrid – a club Rodri has previously said he would not turn down – are weighing up a bid that could trigger one of the most high-profile transfers of the next window. The situation has placed City on alert, and the outcome will shape not only their midfield for years to come but also the balance of power in European football.
Rodri joined City from Atlético Madrid in 2019 for a reported £62.8m and has since become the team's most important player. He was instrumental in City's Premier League titles, Champions League triumph in 2023, and their treble-winning season. This summer, he captained Spain to World Cup glory, picking up the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. His performances in the United States – where Spain beat Argentina in the final – erased lingering doubts about his fitness after two injury-plagued seasons, and Real Madrid's interest, previously non-existent, crystallised. The Spanish giants are now understood to be preparing a formal bid.
“Why Real Madrid want Rodri and what it means for Man City's midfield future.”
Real Madrid's shift in stance is partly financial: they are also pursuing RB Leipzig's 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande for a fee that could exceed €100m (£85m), and may need to sell players to fund a Rodri move. Aurélien Tchouaméni, the 26-year-old French midfielder, is thought to have agreed a new contract with Real, but his departure – for around £70m – could free up both funds and a place in the squad. Manchester United retain an interest in Tchouaméni, though earlier in the window they were unsure if the fee was within their budget. Eduardo Camavinga, also on United's radar, would cost €50m-€60m.
For City, losing Rodri would be a huge blow. He is the fulcrum of Pep Guardiola's system, dictating tempo and breaking up opposition attacks. His departure would leave a gap that no current squad member can fill. The club remain hopeful he will sign a new contract, but the clock is ticking. Rodri himself said in March: "Having played for Atlético before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid. You can't turn down one of the world's best clubs." Should he reject City's offer, he would be free to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January 2027.
Q: Why does Rodri's contract situation matter for Man City fans? If Rodri leaves, City would lose their most influential midfielder, one who has been central to their recent dominance. Replacing a player of his calibre is extremely difficult, and the club may have to spend heavily to find a suitable successor, potentially disrupting their squad balance.
Q: What did Rodri say about playing for Real Madrid? In March 2026, Rodri said that his previous stint at Atlético Madrid would not stop him from joining their rivals. "Having played for Atlético before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid," he stated. "You can't turn down one of the world's best clubs."
Q: What other clubs are interested in Rodri? Barcelona could move for him after Frenkie de Jong's serious knee injury, and Paris Saint-Germain are also known to admire the midfielder. Real Madrid's potential bid may spark a bidding war among Europe's elite.
What happens next is uncertain. Real Madrid are expected to make a formal offer, but City are determined to keep Rodri. The next few weeks will be critical: if Rodri signs a new deal, the saga ends; if not, the January window could see a flurry of activity. Meanwhile, City must plan for both scenarios, while fans watch anxiously. The outcome will have ripple effects across the Premier League and Champions League for years to come.