Manchester City midfielder Rodri is on the brink of a blockbuster move to Real Madrid this summer after the Spanish giants changed course following his World Cup triumph. City are still in talks with the 30-year-old over his future, but Madrid now see him as a priority target after he captained Spain to back-to-back major titles.
Why is Madrid chasing Rodri?
Madrid’s stance shifted after Rodri returned from the World Cup with the Golden Ball in tow. His performances in Qatar - where he started every game as Spain beat Argentina in the final - convinced the club to pursue him despite earlier denials. The Spain international has one year left on his contract at City, which runs until 2026, but his desire to return to La Liga appears to be growing.
Rodri has long expressed his wish to play in Spain again. “Would I like to play in Spain again, in La Liga, in Madrid? I would like to return, yes, obviously,” he told reporters in March. “Having played for Atletico before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid.” His comments came before the World Cup, but his performances there have only strengthened Madrid’s resolve.
How is City handling the situation?
City are still in dialogue with Rodri, but his future remains unsettled. Enzo Maresca, the new manager, has publicly downplayed the speculation. “Around big players there is always speculation,” Maresca said after his first City press conference. “I’m not worried about that. Every manager wants to have Rodri because he’s a top player.” Maresca added that Rodri needs surgery on a back issue and time to recover before returning to action.
City have already lost experienced midfielders John Stones and Bernardo Silva this summer, with the latter joining Madrid. The club have tried to offset those departures with the £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and are reportedly targeting Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, from Lille.
What’s next for Rodri?
Rodri is set to undergo surgery soon, with his return date unclear. City’s league standing (final 2025 table - new season not yet under way) shows them second in the Premier League with 78 points from 38 games, seven behind leaders Arsenal. Their last result was a 1-2 loss to Aston Villa on May 24, 2026, and they’ve lost two of their last five matches. Their next fixture is against Chelsea at home on December 12, 2026.
Rodri’s departure would leave a huge void in City’s midfield. He joined from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the Champions League in 2023 - scoring the winning goal in the final. His leadership and control in midfield have been pivotal to City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola, who left the club this summer after a decade in charge.
