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Rodri has not closed the door on departing Manchester City this summer, as Real Madrid presidential hopeful Enrique Riquelme makes bold campaign pledges.
The 29-year-old has just one year remaining on his deal in Manchester and has frequently been cited as a potential signing for Madrid.
Speculation has intensified in recent days following strong statements from presidential candidate Riquelme, who has vowed to bring in "a player like Rodri" should he triumph in this month's election.
Campaigning vigorously ahead of the June 7 vote, Riquelme told Tiempo de Juego in Spain: "Rodri is a fantastic player, I've said it many times over the past few days when asked, and I have no reason to hide it; if I were president of Real Madrid, a player like Rodri... well, he would be playing for Real Madrid.
"Then we wouldn't have to endure the painful embarrassment of having no Real Madrid players in the Spanish national team. I would love for Rodri to play for Real Madrid."
Enrique's rival for the presidency, incumbent Florentino Pérez, has yet to address the prospect of signing Rodri directly, but Madrid are widely expected to strengthen their midfield this summer regardless of the election result, with the club still feeling the effects of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić's exits.
Pérez also recently unveiled a large campaign billboard in central Madrid displaying all the high-profile signings he has delivered during his presidency, with a blank space bearing the words "to be continued."
Rodri Reveals When He Will Decide His Future
Rodri himself has not dismissed the prospect of a move. Speaking at a media session as Spain's national team gears up for the World Cup, the 2024 Ballon d'Or holder said he would evaluate his club situation once the summer tournament concludes.
"It's part of football," he told reporters when questioned about the Real Madrid speculation.
"I'm focused on being a leader for the national team. That's my priority. I understand the chatter, but I'm not going to spend my energy on it. We'll see what happens after the World Cup."
The midfielder's remarks leave the door firmly ajar for Madrid.
Why Rodri Move Makes Sense Now
Rodri remains a persistent name in Real Madrid's transfer thinking, with the club desperately seeking a top-level midfield anchor in recent campaigns.
With no Madrid player included in Spain's World Cup squad for the first time in history, Los Blancos's absence from the national team setup has also become a major talking point.
Securing a Madrid-born star of Rodri's calibre would address several concerns at once.
Whether or not Riquelme wins the election—and the 37-year-old is regarded as the underdog against Pérez—Rodri is very likely to be on Madrid's radar this summer, and his recent comments only reinforce the sense that a deal could be achievable.
Back in 2024, the former Atlético Madrid star hinted at the possibility of a move to the Bernabéu, telling Cadena SER: "When Real Madrid call you, the best club in history, the most successful, everything that entails... Obviously, it's an honour and you always have to take notice, of course."
Madrid famously boycotted the Ballon d'Or ceremony the same year Rodri claimed football's most prestigious individual award ahead of Vinicius Jr. Rodri has since downplayed the significance of the episode and stressed his deep respect for Madrid's Brazilian attacker.
With only one year left on his contract and Pep Guardiola also having departed City, the moment may finally have arrived for Rodri to contemplate a fresh challenge after seven seasons in the Premier League. Rodri will also turn 30 this summer and may not have another opportunity to make such a move.