Real Madrid are making a serious push to sign Rodri, with the Spanish giants increasingly confident they can lure the Manchester City midfielder back to La Liga this summer.
While formal club-to-club negotiations have not yet begun, Madrid believe a deal is achievable and are planning on the basis that the Spain international will become their latest marquee signing.
The move represents a significant shift in Madrid’s transfer strategy. Earlier this summer, sources at the club insisted Rodri was not a target. That stance changed after the 30-year-old captained Spain to the 2026 FIFA World Cup title, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
World Cup Brilliance Changes Madrid’s Plans
Rodri’s performances in Spain’s triumphant World
Cup campaign appear to have convinced Madrid’s hierarchy that he is the missing piece in midfield.
The former Atletico Madrid player started all eight matches, leading Spain to back-to-back major international titles after their European Championship success in 2024.
His long-term future at Manchester City, meanwhile, remains uncertain. Rodri has entered the final year of his current contract, although City continue to hold talks over an extension and remain hopeful he will stay under new head coach Enzo Maresca.
However, the midfielder has previously admitted the prospect of returning home appeals to him.
“Would I like to play in Spain again, in La Liga, in Madrid? I would like to return, yes, obviously,” Rodri said during Spain’s March international break.
“Having played for Atletico before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid… You can’t turn down one of the world’s best clubs.”
A Blockbuster Move With Risks Attached
Despite Madrid’s growing confidence, the deal is not without complications.
Rodri is set to undergo surgery on a back problem, with no confirmed timeline for his return. He also spent much of the 2024-25 season recovering from an ACL injury before returning to feature 33 times last season, although further hamstring and groin issues interrupted his campaign.
Speaking about the speculation, Maresca insisted he remains calm.
“Around big players there is always speculation. I’m not worried about that,” he said.
“He needs holiday. He needs to rest. He needs to recover and then he will be back here with us.”
Since joining City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has established himself as one of the club’s greatest midfielders, winning four Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and three League Cups.
