Manchester City are hopeful that Rodri will sign a new contract, but the club are braced for a bid from Real Madrid for the midfielder as well as moves from other suitors.
Rodri’s terms expire next June and he has failed to sign City’s new deal, which has been on the table for a while. The club are in talks with the 30-year-old and are optimistic these will prove successful.
But Real have now altered their previous stance of not being interested in Rodri after his hugely impressive displays as captain of Spain’s triumphant World Cup campaign – he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player – and are understood to be preparing a bid.
Rodri’s reliability during the summer has also allayed concern regarding his physical robustness after two injury-plagued seasons, although he is to undergo surgery on a back injury having returned to England from North America.
In March, Rodri hinted at a desire to play for Real. “Having played for Atlético [in 2018-19] before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid,” he said. “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.”
Real’s interest in signing Rodri may well initiate interest from other elite clubs. Barcelona could move for him after Frenkie de Jong’s medial collateral ligament injury ruled him out for months, while Paris Saint‑Germain are known to admire him.
Real may need to generate finance in order to sign Rodri – especially if, as expected, they sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a fee “well in excess” of €100m (£85m) – which may mean the sale of Aurélien Tchouaméni. The 26-year-old Frenchman is thought to have agreed a new contract with the club though this has not been announced. His current deal ends in summer 2028.
Manchester United retain an interest in Tchouaméni but earlier in the window were unsure if the fee Real would demand for the midfielder – around £70m – was within their budget.
Tchouaméni’s teammate Eduardo Camavinga is also on United’s radar and would cost €50m-€60m.
