Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG Battle Manchester City for Rodri

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain Battle for Rodri

Real Madrid are growing increasingly confident that an agreement can be reached to sign the midfielder this summer, according to the BBC. This represents an altered stance from earlier in the summer, when Real sources insisted they had no intention of signing the player, as detailed by Yahoo. The shift follows Rodri’s displays as captain during Spain’s triumphant World Cup campaign in North America, where he started all eight matches and won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, according to The Guardian and The New York Times.

Wider European Interest and Contract Status

Real Madrid’s pursuit has triggered moves from other elite clubs. Barcelona could move for Rodri following Frenkie de Jong’s medial collateral ligament injury, while Paris Saint-Germain have also joined the chase, noted The Guardian and Goal.com. According to Yahoo, direct communication between Manchester City and Real Madrid has taken place for several weeks, while Goal.com reports that Manchester City have set an 80 million euros asking price.

Rodri previously expressed a desire to play in Spain during a March international break. Having played for Atlético [in 2018-19] before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid, Rodri told reporters, according to The Guardian. 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.

Manchester City’s Stance and Replacement Conditions

Despite ongoing talks and a bumper salary offer on the table to extend his stay, Manchester City are braced for bids and are working through potential scenarios under manager Enzo Maresca, stated The Guardian and Goal.com. Director of football Hugo Viana has approached the summer rebuild with a structured sequence, and a central stumbling block in any deal is City’s operative stance that a replacement must be secured before allowing Rodri to leave, according to Yahoo.

Rodri is also set to undergo surgery on a back issue in Madrid, with his return date unconfirmed after returning to England from North America, noted The Guardian and The New York Times. During his seven years at Manchester City following his 2019 transfer from Atlético Madrid, Rodri has made 298 appearances, winning four Premier League titles, the FA Cup twice, the League Cup three times, and scoring the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final, alongside winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or, reported The New York Times.