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World Cup champion Rodri is said to "dream" of joining Real Madrid, even as he considers a contract extension offer from Manchester City, though the Spanish club's leadership remains unconvinced.
The 30-year-old claimed the Golden Ball as the tournament's standout performer after Spain's triumph at the 2026 World Cup, defeating Argentina in the final.
Rodri, who wore the captain's armband for La Roja this summer, reaffirmed his status as the finest midfielder in the world with commanding performances from deep. His club situation, however, remains unresolved, with only one year remaining on his City deal.
City are navigating the most significant transitional phase in their recent history following Pep Guardiola's departure after a decade in charge. The eight-time Premier League champions are nonetheless eager to retain Rodri and have reportedly tabled an offer to keep him at the club.
Rodri Weighs City Deal
Fabrizio Romano reports that Rodri has a contract renewal offer "on the table" at Manchester City that would extend his stay beyond 2027. The proposal is described as a substantial one.
Should the midfielder opt to turn down the offer, he would be free to leave Manchester at no cost next summer.
Speaking before the World Cup, Rodri kept his options open when addressing his future amid mounting Real Madrid speculation, telling the press: "I understand the noise, but I'm not going to dedicate my time to that. We'll see after the World Cup."
The report suggests that Rodri "dreams of Real Madrid," which could complicate his willingness to commit to a new deal in England.
The Madrid-born 30-year-old told Spanish media in 2024: "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."
Why Is Florentino Perez Not Convinced by World's Best Midfielder?
As a former — and potentially future — Ballon d'Or recipient coming off a World Cup victory, Rodri appears to check many boxes as an ideal Real Madrid acquisition. There is also Los Blancos' urgent need to fill the void left by departed midfield icons Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos.
New boss José Mourinho has spearheaded a defensive rebuild in his early weeks at the helm, with Rodri's Spain colleague Marc Cucurella among the arrivals. The next priority will be securing a new deep-lying playmaker as Madrid look to return to winning form in 2026–27 following two underwhelming campaigns.
Yet despite Rodri's clear appeal, Romano reports that one key obstacle stands in the way of a transfer: Florentino Pérez.
The recently re-elected club president is reportedly "not convinced" by the Manchester City midfielder. Spanish outlet Cadena Ser corroborates that there is "no chance" of Rodri heading to the Bernabéu at this stage. The precise reasons behind Pérez's tepid stance remain unclear, though several factors may be contributing.
Notably, Rodri was a central figure in the campaign of Pérez's recent presidential rival Enrique Riquelme, with the green energy businessman boldly naming the City star as his headline transfer target had he won the election. Pérez may therefore be reluctant to pursue a move so closely tied to his opponent's platform.
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Furthermore, Rodri is fundamentally a defensive midfielder rather than the marquee signing Pérez typically favors, given the president's well-known preference for high-profile attackers under his Galácticos model. Michael Olise remains a frequently mentioned target, while Pérez also made a bold move for Julián Alvarez earlier this summer.
On a more practical level, Pérez's reservations may stem from the fact that Rodri is already past 30 and suffered an ACL injury as recently as 2024. Any investment Madrid make this summer would be one they could almost certainly not recover financially in the long run.