In Manchester, the blue side of the city is preparing for another chapter of greatness. The focus this time is not on Erling Haaland’s goals or Pep Guardiola’s genius, but on one man who has quietly become the heart and soul of this dominant Manchester City team — Rodri. The Spanish midfielder has been the engine, the protector, and the brain of City’s system for years. And now, reports have revealed that Manchester City are confident of tying him down to a new contract before January, a move that could seal his future at the Etihad for years to come.
This is not just another renewal story; it is about the man who makes Manchester City breathe on the pitch. According to reports from TBR Football, City have been in talks with Rodri and his representatives for over a year. The discussions were paused when Rodri suffered a serious ACL injury in September. During that period, his main focus was not money, not negotiations, but recovery. He wanted to come back stronger, fitter, and better than ever. It says everything about his mentality — the professionalism, the hunger, and the love for football.
Even while Rodri was sidelined, Manchester City continued their project of securing the future. Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Savinho, Rico Lewis, and young Nico O’Reilly all signed new deals under the leadership of new sporting director Hugo Viana. City’s plan was simple but powerful: secure the pillars of this dynasty before the next phase begins. And now, the biggest pillar of all — Rodri — is next on the list.
Sources close to the negotiations have told TBR Football that there is strong confidence from both sides. City want Rodri to stay long-term. Rodri loves the club and believes he still has more to achieve under Pep Guardiola. Talks have officially begun, and both camps believe an agreement will be reached before the year ends. Rodri’s current deal runs until 2027, but City want to extend it further, possibly making him one of the highest earners in the Premier League.
This is not surprising. For Manchester City, Rodri is not just a midfielder; he is the rhythm of everything they do. When he plays, City control games like a symphony. When he doesn’t, the team feels unbalanced. His intelligence, calmness, and positional awareness have made him one of the most complete players in world football. He has already achieved what most players can only dream of — multiple Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, FA Cups, and individual awards, including the Ballon d’Or recognition that placed him among the world’s best.
The new sporting director Hugo Viana knows how important Rodri is. He has made it his personal mission to make sure Rodri’s new deal is completed as soon as possible. And it’s not just about contracts or numbers; it’s about sending a message to the world that City’s core is untouchable. With Haaland, Dias, and Donnarumma already secured on long-term contracts, City are building a fortress of loyalty. They want to make sure no other club, not even Real Madrid, can break their structure.
Yes, Real Madrid. There have been whispers linking Rodri with the Spanish giants. It’s no secret that Madrid admire him. But City have made it clear that they are not even considering that possibility. To them, Rodri is untouchable. They have no intention of letting him go, no matter the offer. He is the cornerstone of Guardiola’s empire, and letting him go would be like removing the heart from a living body.
Graeme Bailey, the chief correspondent for TBR Football, confirmed that things are moving fast. “City are now working on Rodri’s new deal,” he said. “He is back from injury and things are progressing well. Rodri is a huge piece in the City jigsaw, and they want the spine of the team tied down. Donnarumma came in on a long-term deal, Dias and Haaland re-signed, and now they are confident Rodri will follow.”
It is all part of a grand plan. Manchester City are not just building a team for today; they are preparing for the next five years. Hugo Viana knows that keeping the core together is the secret to continued success. If City can tie down Rodri and Phil Foden before January, they can enter the new year focused purely on football, not negotiations.
Phil Foden is another name being mentioned alongside Rodri. Talks with the English star took place during the last international break, and sources say they went very well. Foden, born and raised in Manchester, loves the club deeply. He is City’s golden boy, and the thought of him signing a new long-term deal alongside Rodri excites the fans. It means the future of Manchester City is in safe hands.
The idea of Rodri and Foden — two players from very different backgrounds but united by City’s football — staying together is symbolic. Foden represents the heart, the local pride, the dream of every young player from Manchester. Rodri represents the intelligence, the control, the tactical brilliance that defines Pep Guardiola’s football. Together, they form the spine of a team that has dominated England and Europe.
When Rodri got injured earlier this season, City felt it deeply. The midfield lost balance. The structure trembled. Even Pep Guardiola admitted that replacing Rodri is almost impossible. He is one of those rare players who make everything look easy but whose absence reveals just how difficult his job really is. Watching City without Rodri was like watching a car without an engine — beautiful on the outside but missing the power inside.
That is why this contract renewal is more than business. It is emotional. It is about appreciation. It is about City showing Rodri how much they value him. The fans adore him because he represents everything they love about this team — calm, discipline, class, and loyalty. He never complains, never seeks attention, never chases fame. He just plays football with intelligence and heart.
At the Etihad, Pep Guardiola has built many great teams. But even Pep knows that players like Rodri are the reason his ideas work. Every great system needs balance, and Rodri is that balance. He reads danger before it happens. He breaks attacks before they start. He passes with precision, controls the rhythm, and brings peace in chaos. That is why Pep calls him “irreplaceable.”
As the talks continue behind closed doors, there is optimism. Rodri’s camp has always maintained that he is happy in Manchester. He feels respected. He feels trusted. He feels at home. And when a player like Rodri feels that connection, it’s hard for any other club to tempt him away.
Inside the dressing room, teammates speak highly of him. They describe him as quiet but commanding, someone who doesn’t talk much but leads through action. Haaland once said in an interview that Rodri is “the most important player in the team.” Coming from a striker who scores almost every game, that says everything.
Rodri’s journey to this point has been remarkable. From his early days at Villarreal to becoming the main man at Atlético Madrid, and now the heartbeat of Manchester City — it has been a journey built on patience, discipline, and hard work. He has grown under Guardiola’s system into one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. And now, as the club prepares to offer him a new contract, it feels like a well-deserved reward for years of excellence.
But City’s plans don’t stop there. After securing Rodri and Foden, the club will look at improving key areas, possibly adding more attacking depth and defensive cover. Yet, for Guardiola, the main priority is stability — keeping his main players happy and hungry. He knows that in football, keeping the core strong is what separates champions from contenders.
Rodri’s return from injury has already lifted the team. His presence brings confidence. You can see it in how City move the ball, how they press, how they defend. He makes everything smoother. It’s no surprise that since his comeback, City’s performances have improved. It is as if the missing rhythm returned to the music.
When he steps on the pitch, there’s a calm energy. The fans at the Etihad rise, knowing that their midfield general is back in control. Every pass, every interception, every tackle — it all comes with authority. That’s why the new deal is not just about keeping a player; it’s about keeping Manchester City’s identity intact.
The Premier League is a tough battlefield, and every top club wants players like Rodri. But Manchester City know that such players are rare. You don’t just buy a Rodri; you build him. You trust him. You give him responsibility. And City have done exactly that. In return, Rodri has given them consistency, trophies, and leadership.
The next few weeks will be crucial. Talks are progressing well, and insiders believe the deal could be announced before the January window opens. It would be the perfect way for City to end the year — by securing the future of their midfield king.
For the fans, this is more than good news. It is a statement of intent. It tells the world that Manchester City are not slowing down. They are not rebuilding; they are reinforcing. They are making sure their dominance continues.
And for Rodri, this new contract will be a symbol of his journey — from a quiet young man in Spain to one of the most respected midfielders in world football. He has earned every cheer, every chant, every applause that echoes through the Etihad.
As the winter approaches and the headlines start to fill with transfer rumours, one story will shine above the noise — the story of loyalty, respect, and greatness. The story of Rodri, the man who became the heartbeat of Manchester City, staying to lead the team into another era of success.
Because sometimes in football, the biggest signings are not the new ones. They are the renewals that remind the world that some bonds cannot be broken. And for Manchester City, securing Rodri’s signature will be the best gift they can give themselves before the new year.
The story continues, the blue empire remains strong, and the man who holds the key to it all — Rodri — is about to make it official. The Etihad will roar again, not just for goals, but for a decision that secures the future of their dynasty.
