ไทย
English
中國人
It looks like it's finally becoming a reality. Real Madrid are reportedly "confident" about completing a deal that would bring Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri to the Bernabéu before the summer window closes.
According to The Athletic, the extraordinary performances the Ballon d'Or winner delivered while guiding Spain through their title campaign at the 2026 World Cup convinced a previously-reluctant Real Madrid to pursue his signature.
Club-to-club negotiations have yet to get underway, but the report indicates Los Blancos are confident the transfer can be wrapped up this summer. The 30-year-old openly hinted at the prospect of joining Real Madrid back in March, stating, "You can't turn down one of the world's best clubs. It doesn't matter if they arrive at the match in a good or bad moment, Real Madrid is always Real Madrid. The door is not closed."
Manchester City are unwilling to lose the 2024 Ballon d'Or holder, with new boss Enzo Maresca insisting he's unconcerned by the transfer rumours surrounding Rodri, adding that "every manager wants to have Rodri because he's a top player."
However, Rodri is heading into the final year of his deal at City, and contract extension discussions have stalled despite an offer being on the table, meaning this summer could represent the club's last chance to recoup a fee before he walks away for nothing.
Rodri Is Exactly What Real Madrid Are Missing
After witnessing Rodri's exceptional displays at the 2026 World Cup, it's easy to see why Real Madrid have suddenly identified him as their next marquee signing — and not merely as a luxury addition, but as someone who would immediately address their most pressing need.
Over the last two seasons, even the formidable attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham has not been enough to compensate for the void left by midfield maestro Toni Kroos. Los Blancos have consistently looked unbalanced since the German's retirement following their Champions League triumph in 2023–24, a problem that worsened further when Luka Modrić departed a season later. The outcome? Real Madrid have claimed just one piece of silverware — the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup — since Kroos called time on his career.
Rodri would immediately resolve that issue for Los Blancos. As he powerfully demonstrated throughout the World Cup, Rodri is capable of functioning almost single-handedly as a midfield double-pivot. At his peak, no midfielder in the world is better equipped to bring balance to elite teams than the Spaniard.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez appeared to be the sole figure who failed to recognise this, with recent reports indicating he was "not convinced" by the City midfielder — possibly because Rodri was the player that recent Real Madrid presidential rival Enrique Riquelme had pledged to sign had he defeated Pérez in the recent election.
Whatever his reservations, his position appears to have shifted, and Los Blancos are now pressing ahead in their pursuit of one of the finest defensive midfielders on the planet.
Man City Could Receive Double Blow If Rodri Joins Real Madrid
While it's true that Rodri has been unable to perform at his best for City over the past two seasons due to injury concerns, and that he faces another spell on the sidelines following upcoming back surgery, his departure to Real Madrid would be a damaging blow in more ways than one.
Rodri has been central to the most triumphant chapter in City's history, playing a pivotal role in four consecutive Premier League titles and the club's first-ever Champions League — completing a historic treble. It's hardly a coincidence that City's dominance declined over the last two seasons, a period in which Rodri missed more matches than he featured in.
Although City have already made England international Elliot Anderson their most expensive signing ever — widely expected to be Rodri's long-term replacement in midfield — there's no certainty he can match the level of control Rodri exerted for five years, regardless of his undeniable potential.
Moreover, should Rodri move to Real Madrid, Los Blancos may be more open to offloading either Aurélien Tchouaméni or Eduardo Camavinga, and Manchester United could stand to benefit considerably, with the Red Devils particularly linked to the former. In short, City losing Rodri to their rivals could also accelerate their bitter enemy's midfield reconstruction.
City will almost certainly pull out all the stops to persuade Rodri to remain. But if Madrid make a serious approach and Rodri continues to be drawn toward a move to the Bernabéu, then extracting the highest possible transfer fee for the departing club icon may be the best outcome City can realistically hope for in what is shaping up to be an increasingly grim situation.