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Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed there have been no dedicated discussions "just focused on Rodri" at the Etihad Stadium, dismissing the midfielder's reported links to Real Madrid as "just speculation."
Rodri, who recently had back surgery following Spain's 2026 World Cup victory, has dominated transfer headlines throughout the summer. The player publicly hinted at a potential switch to the Bernabéu, and Los Blancos now appear keen to bring the 2024 Ballon d'Or holder into José Mourinho's squad.
The transfer already appears all but inevitable, yet City have seemingly not abandoned hope of convincing the 30-year-old to see out his contract, which runs until the end of next season. Maresca underscored just how vital Rodri is to the club while brushing aside any talk of a move to the Spanish capital.
"I said in the first press conference that any manager in the world wants Rodri, so it's important for me, for the club and for everyone, but now he needs to get some rest," Maresca said in his prematch press conference ahead of City's preseason friendly against Inter.
"He's very important when we need to play every three days. The main focus for him when the season finished was the World Cup. Now he enjoys some rest after that, and we didn't have any conversation just focused on Rodri [with sporting director Hugo Viana].
"It's just speculation in this moment. Rodri had surgery on Monday, everything was fine. Now he will get some days off and then return back with us after his holiday ends."
Rodri's Transfer Saga With Real Madrid
Back in 2024, Rodri said: "When Real Madrid call you, the best club in history, the most successful, everything that means ... Obviously, it's an honor and you always have to pay attention, of course."
Over the following two years, Los Blancos' interest in the City star faded considerably. Not only was Rodri approaching his 30th birthday, which he reached during the 2026 World Cup, but he was also battling persistent fitness concerns.
The Spaniard ruptured his ACL in September 2024, returned late in the season, and then endured one setback after another throughout 2025–26. From knee troubles to hamstring strains to a groin complaint, Rodri missed more than 100 days of action for City last season. Across the last two campaigns combined, he managed just 41 appearances in total—with only 24 coming in the Premier League.
The last thing Real Madrid needed was another aging, injury-prone player, and their hesitation seemed well-founded when Rodri went under the knife for a back issue this summer.
Yet suddenly, the club executed a complete reversal and reportedly made a formal approach for Rodri, entering into "verbal discussions" with City. The English club undoubtedly wants to retain their Ballon d'Or winner, particularly following his resurgent form with Spain this summer, but the right offer from Real Madrid could shift City's position.
After all, if they fail to sell Rodri now, they risk losing him on a free transfer next summer when his deal expires. Should Los Blancos be willing to pay at least €50 million ($57.7 million) for the 30-year-old, City would be prudent to capitalize on a sale while the opportunity remains.
Real Madrid would then finally secure the deep-lying playmaker they have craved since Toni Kroos departed after the 2023–24 season. Rodri could be the decisive factor Mourinho's side needs to challenge for trophies—but only if he can remain fit, and with the Spaniard, that remains a significant if.
Only time will tell whether Rodri honors Maresca's expectation and rejoins City this preseason, but every day spent away from the club only strengthens Real Madrid's position.