In Spain, a storm is brewing once again around Real Madrid and Manchester City, two of the biggest football powers in the world. The name at the heart of this latest transfer hurricane is none other than Rodri — Manchester City’s midfield general, Spain’s national team leader, and the man recently crowned Ballon d’Or winner. Reports emerging from Spain suggest that Real Madrid are preparing an eye-watering offer of €150 million (£130m/$175m) to tempt City into selling their priceless midfield engine. But inside the Etihad, the message is loud and clear — Rodri is untouchable. He is not for sale, no matter the price.
For Real Madrid, this is not a new story. Their long-term admiration for Rodri goes back to his early days at Atlético Madrid, when his calmness on the ball, intelligence in positioning, and maturity beyond his years already caught the attention of scouts at the Bernabéu. At the time, Madrid watched from afar, aware that signing a young talent from their city rivals would be politically difficult. When Rodri later joined Manchester City from Atlético in 2019, many at Madrid quietly sighed in frustration. They knew they were watching a player who would become one of the greatest midfielders of his generation — and now, he has done exactly that.
In the years since his arrival in England, Rodri has become the heart and brain of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Every movement of the team flows through him. He is not the loudest voice in the dressing room, but his authority is unshakable. On the pitch, his control of tempo, his reading of space, and his calmness under pressure make him irreplaceable. When City won the treble in 2023 — lifting the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League — it was Rodri who scored the decisive goal in Istanbul. That moment against Inter Milan sealed his place in history and marked the rise of a player who defines Guardiola’s entire tactical system.
Now, two years later, his achievements have reached even greater heights. In 2025, Rodri became the Ballon d’Or winner, the ultimate recognition of his brilliance. He is no longer just a midfield anchor — he is football’s finest conductor. And that, of course, makes him the dream signing for Real Madrid, a club obsessed with bringing the world’s best to the Bernabéu.
Sources in Spain claim that Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is “determined” to make another Galáctico move next summer, and Rodri has emerged as the top target. After missing out on Kylian Mbappé several times before finally bringing him in 2024, Madrid’s next ambition is to secure a midfield general who can dominate the next decade. Toni Kroos has retired, Luka Modric has stepped aside, and while Jude Bellingham continues to dazzle in an attacking role, the club sees the need for a world-class defensive midfielder to balance the team. In their eyes, Rodri is the perfect successor to Casemiro — the missing piece in their new-era midfield built around Bellingham, Valverde, and Tchouaméni.
But convincing Manchester City to sell will be almost impossible. Pep Guardiola has built his football empire around Rodri’s intelligence. Since Fernandinho’s departure, no player has come close to offering City the same balance between attack and defense. Without him, the entire rhythm of the team collapses. Guardiola has said countless times that Rodri is “the most important player in our system.” And those words are not just flattery — they are the truth. Whenever Rodri misses a match, City’s performance drops noticeably. His vision, control, and understanding of space are unmatched in world football.
City’s response to Madrid’s interest has therefore been emphatic. The Premier League champions have made it clear to intermediaries and agents that Rodri is not for sale, under any circumstances. Even a €150 million bid, which would make him one of the most expensive players in football history, is not enough to open discussions. For them, losing Rodri would be like losing the heartbeat of their system. Money can buy many things — but not another Rodri.
Behind the scenes, however, there is quiet admiration within Madrid’s walls. Some insiders believe that, despite City’s resistance, Rodri could eventually be tempted by the idea of returning to Spain. The midfielder has often spoken about his love for his home country, and while he is happy in Manchester, the pull of Real Madrid — the white shirt, the Bernabéu lights, the chance to continue Spain’s great football legacy — could one day prove too strong to resist.
Madrid are ready to play the long game. They have done it before. When they wanted Mbappé, they waited. When they targeted Bellingham, they waited. They believe in persistence, and with Rodri, the plan might be the same. This is not about signing a player for next season — it is about planning the next dynasty.
But at City, there is growing awareness that Madrid’s interest could unsettle their star. Guardiola, known for his attention to detail, is already preparing his club’s stance. The board is expected to offer Rodri another improved contract — one that would make him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League. The aim is simple: reward loyalty, strengthen commitment, and close the door on Madrid’s advances.
Rodri himself has often spoken about how much he enjoys playing under Guardiola. In interviews, he has described City as a “second family” and praised the club’s structure, culture, and ambition. Yet even he admits that Real Madrid represents something special. For any Spanish player, wearing that white shirt is a childhood dream. Still, his focus remains firmly on City’s ambitions — defending the Premier League title, chasing another Champions League, and continuing to dominate world football.
From a tactical point of view, Madrid’s interest also makes perfect sense. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have evolved into a dynamic, energetic side built around youth and power. But what they lack is a natural controller — a midfielder who can slow down or speed up the game at will. Tchouaméni is strong and talented but not yet at Rodri’s level in reading the flow of a match. Valverde offers running power, and Bellingham adds creativity and goals, but none possess the composure of Rodri. That’s why Madrid’s technical team sees him as the missing jewel.
Financially, Real Madrid are also in a strong position. The completion of the Bernabéu renovation has boosted their income massively. The club has reported record profits from matchday revenues, commercial deals, and sponsorships. This financial muscle gives them the freedom to chase a €150 million dream signing without breaching regulations. Pérez sees this as the perfect statement signing — one that would send a message to Europe that Madrid’s dominance is far from over.
Meanwhile, City’s focus remains on football. They are preparing for another Champions League campaign, with Villarreal next on their schedule. Inside the club, the talk is about trophies, not transfers. But the speculation surrounding Rodri refuses to disappear. Spanish journalists close to Madrid believe discussions are already underway between intermediaries — unofficial, discreet, and cautious — to gauge Rodri’s interest.
If Madrid were to succeed, it would be one of the most shocking transfers in modern football. It would mirror the drama of when Luis Figo left Barcelona for Madrid in 2000, shaking Spanish football to its core. But this time, the emotional impact would extend beyond Spain — it would hit England and Manchester deeply.
Guardiola’s project without Rodri would be unimaginable. Every major success City has enjoyed in the last three seasons has Rodri’s fingerprints all over it. He protects the defense, dictates tempo, and starts attacks. He makes City’s dominance look effortless. If he were to leave, it would not just be a loss of talent but a loss of identity.
Still, Madrid’s persistence cannot be underestimated. They have a history of getting what they want, no matter how long it takes. Whether it was Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, or even Eden Hazard — when Florentino Pérez sets his eyes on a superstar, he rarely gives up.
For now, Manchester City are calm but vigilant. They know Madrid’s playbook. First comes the admiration, then the whispers, then the pressure through the media. It’s a game Madrid have perfected over decades. Guardiola will want to ensure it doesn’t affect his squad’s focus. The coming months could therefore test City’s unity and Rodri’s loyalty like never before.
As football fans watch this saga unfold, one thing is certain — Rodri’s future will dominate headlines for months to come. Real Madrid want him. Manchester City need him. And somewhere in between lies a player who has already conquered Europe but may one day face the biggest decision of his career: stay in Manchester and continue building his legacy under Guardiola, or return to Spain and become the new heartbeat of Real Madrid’s next great team.
For now, City fans can rest easy — their midfield king is not going anywhere. But as history has shown, when Real Madrid come knocking, even the strongest doors can eventually open. The question is not whether Madrid will try again — but how long Manchester City can hold them off. That battle, between two empires of football, may define the next era of the game. And at the center of it all stands Rodri — calm, composed, and completely irreplaceable.
