It started like a whisper in Madrid. A whisper that slowly grew louder across Spain, through the marble corridors of the Santiago Bernabéu, and eventually reached Manchester — a whisper that said Real Madrid were preparing something big, something bold, something that could shake Europe again. A €140 million plan. A move for the man who has come to define dominance, control, and calm under pressure. Rodri Hernández. The heartbeat of Manchester City. The man Pep Guardiola calls his most intelligent soldier.
Real Madrid’s interest did not come from nowhere. It came from pain. From the memories of Luka Modric walking off for the last time, from the farewell speech of Toni Kroos, from the empty seats that once roared for the masters of midfield. For over a decade, Madrid’s engine had been powered by two men who turned football into poetry. But poetry fades, and time moves. Madrid needed a new author for their midfield story. Someone to lead a new era of control. And when they looked around Europe, only one name glowed bright enough — Rodri.
Reports from Spain said the plan was ready. Los Blancos were preparing a €140 million bid to bring Rodri home to La Liga next summer. Florentino Pérez wanted a statement. The president of Real Madrid had already brought Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Federico Valverde together into one of the most gifted attacking squads in the world. But in his eyes, the final piece was missing — the commander of rhythm. And Rodri was that piece.
But in Manchester, a different energy ruled. Manchester City were not even thinking of selling. In fact, they saw the rumor as an insult. Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, the chairman of City, reportedly said behind closed doors that Rodri was not just a player — he was the soul of Pep Guardiola’s project. His contract already ran until 2027, but City were ready to go even further. They wanted to offer him a lifetime deal, a contract that would keep him at the club until the end of his career. City were even preparing a pay rise, a massive one, because they knew how valuable he was.
Rodri was not a flashy superstar. He did not make headlines every weekend like Mbappé or Vinicius. He did not score bicycle kicks or shout into cameras. But when you looked closely, you saw how he controlled everything. Every movement. Every pass. Every rhythm of a game. He was the one who made others look great. And Pep Guardiola, who has coached legends from Messi to Xavi to Iniesta, once said that Rodri was the most complete holding midfielder he had ever worked with.
Real Madrid knew this. They had seen it up close, especially in those Champions League nights when City’s midfield crushed them. In 2023, in that semi-final second leg at the Etihad, Madrid’s midfield was torn apart. Kroos and Modric couldn’t breathe. Rodri was everywhere, intercepting passes, recycling possession, building attacks, protecting the back four. It was total control. And from that day, Real Madrid’s scouts began to whisper his name in Pérez’s ear.
Rodri’s journey to this level was not easy. When he joined City from Atlético Madrid in 2019 for €90 million, some fans were unsure. They said he was too slow, that he couldn’t handle the Premier League tempo. But Pep Guardiola saw something deeper — a brain that could read football two seconds faster than anyone else. Over the years, he grew into a monster of calm. He made 271 appearances, scored 26 goals, assisted 32, and lifted 11 major trophies. He was no longer just a player — he was a system.
Then came the peak — 2024. Rodri became the Ballon d’Or winner. The first holding midfielder in decades to win it. The honor that once belonged to artists now rested on the shoulders of an anchor. But his glory was soon followed by heartbreak. In early 2025, he tore his ACL. A cruel twist of fate for a man who had played nearly every minute for club and country. City missed him badly. Without him, their rhythm broke. Their dominance faded. By the end of that season, Manchester City finished third in the Premier League, their lowest under Guardiola since 2020. It was clear — Rodri was irreplaceable.
That was when Real Madrid smelled opportunity. They knew City were vulnerable. They knew the injury might have left doubts. And they knew Rodri’s heart still had a connection to Spain, to La Liga, to the country he once represented every week before crossing to England. Madrid planned their move like hunters in silence. They knew they had to move before City locked him with another contract. So they decided to go big — €140 million big.
But Pep Guardiola was not ready to let go. Those close to the club said Pep personally called Rodri after hearing the Madrid rumors. He told him how much he meant to the team, how much he admired his character, how much he trusted him. Pep reportedly said, “You are my extension on the pitch. Without you, this team cannot breathe.” It was more than football — it was loyalty, mentorship, and respect.
At City’s training ground, whispers spread among the players too. Some joked about the transfer, others didn’t. Kevin De Bruyne reportedly told him, “They’ll have to offer double that before Pep even listens.” Erling Haaland, in his usual confident tone, said, “They can’t buy what you are to us.” Inside that dressing room, Rodri was not just respected — he was adored.
In Madrid, however, the plan continued. Carlo Ancelotti had stepped down and Xabi Alonso had taken charge. The new boss saw Rodri as his dream signing — a player who could lead the next generation of midfielders. For Alonso, who himself was once a deep-lying playmaker, Rodri was a reflection of everything he believed football should be — control, patience, and power without noise. Alonso reportedly told his board that if they wanted to dominate Europe again, they needed Rodri.
As Madrid prepared their €140 million offer, the Spanish media erupted. Pundits argued on TV about whether City could resist. Some said money always talks. Others said City’s new power made them immune to Madrid’s charm. One journalist said, “Madrid used to take from England — Beckham, Ronaldo, Bale. But times have changed. City are not sellers anymore.”
Meanwhile, Rodri stayed silent. He was focused on recovery. He worked daily in the gym, sweating through rehab sessions, watching City matches from the sidelines. But inside, he was thinking. Thinking about home. Thinking about Spain. About the Bernabéu nights he grew up watching as a child. About Xabi Alonso, who was one of his idols. And maybe, just maybe, about wearing the white shirt one day.
Still, Manchester City were relentless in their message — not for sale. Khaldoon Al-Mubarak’s stance was clear. He said privately to close friends that Rodri would retire at City. Guardiola agreed. Even Txiki Begiristain, the sporting director, reportedly laughed when the rumor surfaced. To them, Rodri was untouchable.
But Real Madrid don’t give up. They never have. For them, football is not just about money — it’s about pride, power, and legacy. They wanted to remind the world who they are — the kings of Europe. They believed signing Rodri would not just strengthen their midfield, it would send a message to England, to Guardiola, and to the Premier League itself. A message that Real Madrid still reign supreme.
Inside Spain, fans debated passionately. Some said it was impossible — Rodri would never leave Guardiola. Others said it was destiny — every Spanish player dreams of wearing white. And in England, City fans began to worry quietly. They remembered how quick things can change. They remembered how players like Sterling, Mahrez, and Gundogan had left when no one expected. They prayed Rodri wouldn’t follow.
As the summer approached, the tension grew. Transfer insiders posted updates almost daily. Some said Rodri’s representatives had been contacted. Others denied it completely. But one thing was clear — Madrid’s obsession was real. And City’s defense of their man was fierce.
Pep Guardiola, when asked about it during a press conference, smiled faintly and said, “When you have great players, others will want them. But some players are not for sale. Rodri is one of them.” His voice carried calm confidence, but behind it was determination. He had already lost Gundogan, Mahrez, and Laporte. Losing Rodri would mean breaking his system apart. He couldn’t allow it.
As the rumor spread through both cities, the football world began to imagine what Rodri in white would look like. A midfield of Rodri, Bellingham, and Valverde. The idea was terrifying for rivals. But for Guardiola, it was a nightmare.
Meanwhile, at Madrid, Xabi Alonso spoke after a 3-1 win over Villarreal and praised Valverde for playing out of position at right-back. His words showed his tactical flexibility, his appreciation for selfless players. Some journalists connected it to Rodri’s story — they said Alonso was sending a message, building a culture where players like Rodri could thrive.
Real Madrid’s midfield was changing. The old kings had gone, but the new order was forming. Bellingham was already becoming the star. Mbappé was scoring freely. Vinicius was dancing again. But Alonso wanted a base, a commander. He wanted Rodri to be his Xabi Alonso 2.0
As weeks passed, City made their move. They offered Rodri a contract extension until 2030, with a massive salary increase. Reports said it would make him one of the highest-paid midfielders in the world. The offer was a message — we love you, we need you, we will fight for you.
Rodri’s camp did not immediately respond. He wanted to focus on fitness. But everyone around him knew — this was the biggest decision of his career. Stay with Pep, the man who made him a world champion and Ballon d’Or winner. Or go home to Spain, to Real Madrid, to lead a new generation under Xabi Alonso. Football is full of love stories, but it is also full of heartbreaks. The transfer window would test loyalty, emotion, and ambition.
In Manchester, fans began to chant his name louder. They made banners saying “Rodri Is Blue Forever.” In Madrid, fans began to dream, singing his name during games. They imagined him standing beside Bellingham in white.
And somewhere between Manchester and Madrid, between loyalty and legacy, between past and future, Rodri stood silent — the calm in the middle of a storm. For now, Manchester City stand firm. Real Madrid are patient. The €140 million is ready. The world waits.
Because sometimes, the biggest battles in football don’t happen on the pitch. They happen in the heart.
