NewsIndia

By Ishaan Kapoor — 24 July 2026 — 6 min read

Real Madrid is reportedly working on a deal to sign midfielder Rodri from Manchester City. While club-to-club discussions have not yet occurred, Real Madrid expresses confidence that an agreement can be reached, proceeding with the expectation that Rodri will be joining the club this summer.

Rodri, 30, has entered the final year of his contract with Manchester City, which runs until 2027. Despite this, Manchester City remains in communication with the midfielder regarding his future and hopes he will be part of Enzo Maresca’s squad for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Madrid’s Shifting Stance

Initially, sources within Real Madrid had indicated that Rodri was not part of their plans for the summer. However, the club’s position has reportedly changed following his return from the World Cup. His performance level and his role in Spain’s victory are cited as factors influencing this decision to pursue him.

Rodri’s potential departure would follow other exits from Manchester City this summer, including Pep Guardiola, who concluded a decade with the club and was succeeded by Maresca. Additionally, John Stones and Bernardo Silva have left after their contracts expired, with Silva moving to Real Madrid.

Reports from July 21 suggested that discussions about Rodri’s future at Manchester City were anticipated after the World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball as Spain defeated Argentina in the final. However, he had reportedly shown little inclination to extend his current terms.

During the World Cup, Rodri started and captained his side in all eight matches as Luis de la Fuente’s team secured consecutive major tournament victories, following their success in the European Championship in 2024.

Rodri is scheduled to undergo surgery for a back issue, with his return date yet to be confirmed.

The midfielder has previously expressed a desire to return to his home country during his playing career and the appeal of playing for Real Madrid. He stated during an international break in March, “Would I like to play in Spain again, in La Liga, in Madrid? I would like to return, yes, obviously.”

He added, “Having played for Atletico before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid … 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.”

Rodri returned to action for Manchester City in May 2025 after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury kept him out for a significant portion of the 2024-25 campaign. He featured in all competitions during the 2025-26 season, experiencing two periods out due to hamstring and groin issues.

Manchester City has reinforced its midfield this summer with the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a significant fee. The club was also reportedly pursuing Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, from Lille, who performed well at the World Cup.

When questioned about Rodri during his initial press conference for Manchester City on Friday, Maresca commented, “Around big players there is always speculation. I’m not worried about that. I think it’s normal. Also because they won the World Cup, he was the best player or one of the best players. Every manager wants to have Rodri because he’s a top player.”

Maresca further added, “But now surgery on I think Monday. He needs holiday. He needs to rest. He needs to recover and then he will be back here with us.”

Rodri’s Career at City

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner joined Manchester City from Atletico in 2019. During his seven years at the club, he has achieved significant success, including:

• Four Premier League titles
• Two FA Cups
• Three League Cups
• The Champions League in 2023, where he scored the winning goal in the final

He has made 298 appearances for Manchester City, contributing 28 goals and 32 assists.

According to analysis, Rodri’s arrival would be significant for Real Madrid fans. Despite initial reluctance from president Florentino Perez and general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, the club’s change of heart aligns with supporter sentiment. Both the club and its fanbase now view this as an ideal move to acquire a world-class player who recently won the World Cup as Spain’s star player and has long desired to join Real Madrid.

However, the potential signing carries some risk. Real Madrid typically avoids substantial investments in players nearing the age of 30. Rodri also sustained a serious knee injury in 2024, which was followed by muscle injuries. His strong performance at the World Cup has reportedly alleviated concerns about his physical condition, shifting focus to his potential contributions to the team.

Rodri’s presence would strengthen an area where head coach Jose Mourinho had sought additional signings. His balance and touch are expected to enhance the team. Furthermore, his experience, leadership, and work ethic could be valuable in the dressing room, where the atmosphere has been a concern over the last two seasons.

For Manchester City, this news is a significant concern. The club had been attempting to secure a new contract for Rodri for over a year, aiming to avoid his current deal expiring next summer. His failure to sign an extension suggested that a move had been on his mind, and Manchester City was aware of the possibility this summer, though they hoped to prevent it.

Those close to Rodri indicate that playing for Real Madrid has been a long-term goal for him, despite his previous time with Atletico. The surprising aspect of this potential transfer is that Real Madrid itself had been unwilling to sign him until recently. Club sources, including Perez and Mourinho, were reportedly not considering his signing, but Rodri’s role in Spain’s World Cup victory appears to have altered their perspective.

This situation presents a considerable challenge for Manchester City’s midfield. The team has consistently performed better with Rodri in the lineup, even when he was returning from his knee injury and not at his peak. While the team found strong form at the end of 2025 in his absence, with Nico Gonzalez emerging, they will need to find similar solutions moving forward.

Among Manchester City fans, opinions are divided. Some express understanding and wish him well, acknowledging his right to move, despite their disappointment. Others are angered by the potential transfer, partly due to Real Madrid’s reaction to his 2024 Ballon d’Or victory over Vinicius Junior. These discussions are expected to continue as Manchester City works to address the situation without Rodri.

Real Madrid is confident they will sign Rodri from Manchester City, with the Spanish club believing an agreement can be reached for the 30-year-old Spain captain.

Source: nytimes.com