Real Madrid have received a €150m offer from Manchester City for Star player, with the Brazilian the club’s top transfer target. The 15-time Champions League winners don’t want to sell, though. Real Madrid is requesting £200m for them to release him

Frank Lampard sat in the Sky Sports studio with a serious face, the kind of face that tells you he has seen enough football to know when something is wrong. He wasn’t smiling, he wasn’t joking, and he wasn’t trying to protect anyone. He looked straight into the camera and said the words that sent shockwaves through Chelsea fans. “I have warned Enzo Maresca about that particular player,” Lampard said slowly, his voice carrying both disappointment and frustration. “He refused to bench him. He keeps causing problems for the team. He cost Chelsea their defeat yesterday against Brighton and Maresca still played him full time.” The silence that followed was powerful. This was not just another opinion. This was Frank Lampard — Chelsea legend, former player, former manager — speaking from experience, and the tone of his voice told everyone he had reached a point of no return.

Reports quickly spread online that Lampard had named the player he believes doesn’t deserve to start for Chelsea, someone who has been a shadow over the team’s progress since the season began. Fans began to speculate who the player could be. Some believed it was one of the defenders who kept losing focus in big moments. Others thought it was one of the attacking players who simply could not find the net despite playing every week. But Lampard’s main point wasn’t only about one player — it was about accountability. He said he warned Maresca early that some players were not mentally strong enough to play under the kind of pressure Chelsea carries. But the new manager, confident in his ideas, decided to give everyone a chance. Now the results were beginning to tell a different story.

Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton was painful. The game had moments of promise, but in the end, one mistake changed everything. It was a mistake that started from the same player Lampard had warned about, and by the time the final whistle blew, frustration filled Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca stood on the touchline, motionless, knowing that this was another day where his trust had been misplaced. The fans booed, some chanted angrily, while others walked out quietly. The image of Maresca defending his player in the post-match interview only added fuel to the fire. “He’s an important player,” the manager said. “He just made one mistake, but I believe in him.” Lampard, however, saw it differently. “That’s not one mistake,” he said during the analysis. “It’s been happening all season. When a player keeps costing you points, you don’t wait for it to happen again. You take action.”

The story went viral. Every Chelsea fan page posted Lampard’s quote, and arguments began to erupt across social media. Some fans sided with Lampard, saying the club had been too soft on underperforming players. Others said Maresca needed time and stability. But the truth was that Chelsea had lost four league games already, and pressure was starting to build around the new manager. Lampard’s words didn’t help the situation; they exposed the cracks that were already there.

While Chelsea were dealing with that storm, another headline was breaking on the same night — one that involved Manchester City, Real Madrid, and a €150 million transfer bombshell. Reports from Spain claimed that Manchester City were preparing a world-record bid for Brazilian winger Rodrygo. The story hit every football site within minutes. Pep Guardiola, according to sources, had identified Rodrygo as his top target for January. The offer was expected to reach €150 million, which would make it the most expensive deal in Premier League history.

For many fans, the timing of this news felt strange. City were already packed with attacking talent — Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, and the rising youngster Savinho. Yet Guardiola wanted something different. According to reports, he wanted a player who could play on both wings and also operate as a false nine. Rodrygo fit that description perfectly. At just 23, the Brazilian had already played over 200 games for Real Madrid, scoring crucial goals in Champions League nights that defined his reputation. Pep saw him not just as a winger but as a game-changer — a player who could refresh City’s attack in the same way Erling Haaland did when he arrived.

But there was another twist to the story. Guardiola’s interest in Rodrygo was also linked to growing uncertainty around Erling Haaland’s future. Rumors in Spain suggested that Real Madrid were planning to make a move for Haaland next summer, which could push City to act early and secure their own weapon in return. It was a transfer triangle between two of the biggest clubs in the world, with the same players on both sides of the chessboard.

Sources close to Manchester City said that discussions “will not be simple,” because Real Madrid see Rodrygo as untouchable. He’s one of the few players Carlo Ancelotti trusts completely, someone who works hard off the ball and delivers in big games. Selling him would go against Madrid’s long-term project. But money talks, and €150 million is a number that can change any boardroom conversation.

At the same time, Liverpool and Arsenal were said to be keeping an eye on the situation. Both clubs have been following Rodrygo for over a year. Arsenal believe his versatility could make him the perfect addition alongside Bukayo Saka, while Liverpool see him as a future replacement for Mohamed Salah, whose future remains uncertain beyond 2026. But City’s financial strength makes them the favorites if Real Madrid even consider opening talks.

Meanwhile, Rodrygo himself has always maintained loyalty to Madrid. During the summer, he said in an interview, “I still have a contract. When I say it’s been a pleasure to be here all these years, I don’t mean I’m leaving. It’s just that it has been special. It’s still my dream. I’m confident I will remain.” Those words were seen as proof of his happiness at the Bernabeu. But football changes fast, and sometimes, even the most loyal players find themselves facing a new chapter when a massive offer arrives.

In Manchester, Guardiola’s team has looked slightly off this season. The injuries to Kevin De Bruyne and some defensive inconsistencies have affected results. While City remain near the top of the table, Pep knows his squad needs a new spark. He has already told the board that the team needs both a creative midfielder and a new winger to keep their dominance alive. According to reports, in addition to Rodrygo, City are also scouting Bundesliga stars who could replace De Bruyne long-term. The club wants to plan for the next five years, not just the next few months.

Back in Spain, Real Madrid fans were shocked by the rumors. Many took to social media, calling the idea of selling Rodrygo “madness.” They argued that he is not just a player — he represents the next generation of Madrid attackers alongside Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham. Losing him would weaken the team both technically and emotionally. But Real Madrid are a business as much as a football club. When a record-breaking offer arrives, every option is discussed behind closed doors.

Interestingly, while Manchester City are focusing on Rodrygo, reports also claim that Barcelona’s winger Raphinha is on their shortlist. The Brazilian has been in excellent form for Barca this season, scoring ten goals and assisting nine in just 14 games. However, Barcelona’s financial problems could force them to sell if a big offer comes. Pep Guardiola knows Raphinha well from his time in La Liga and sees him as another potential solution if Madrid refuse to sell Rodrygo.

Football fans are now watching closely to see how the January window unfolds. For Chelsea, the focus remains on fixing internal issues before they become bigger. For Manchester City, it’s about reloading for another title charge and staying ahead of Real Madrid’s interest in Haaland. And for Rodrygo, it’s about keeping his head down while the world talks about his future.

The combination of Lampard’s comments and the Rodrygo bid news created one of those dramatic days in football when stories collide — one club dealing with internal chaos, another club planning a world-record signing. It shows how quickly the balance of football power can shift. One day you’re trying to fix your defence, the next day another club is preparing to break history to buy a superstar.

For Chelsea fans, Lampard’s words will continue to echo. They know he loves the club deeply and speaks only when he feels something must be said. Whether Maresca listens or not will define how this season ends for the Blues. As for Pep Guardiola, he’s preparing for another bold move that could change the shape of Manchester City’s future. If Rodrygo ever wears the sky-blue shirt, it would not just be another signing — it would be a message to the whole world that City are ready to dominate again, no matter the price.

And as the transfer window edges closer, the question remains: will Real Madrid stand firm, or will €150 million tempt them to let go of one of their brightest stars? One thing is clear — in football, even the impossible can happen when the money is right and ambition refuses to sleep.