Real Madrid expected to bid for Manchester City’s Rodri

Real Madrid are expected to make an offer for Manchester City midfielder Rodri, with the Spanish club stepping up their long-standing interest in one of City’s most important players.

Real Madrid prepare Rodri approach

Initial contact is understood to have been made with City over a deal for the Spain international, who captained his country to World Cup success this summer and collected the Golden Ball.

Real are believed to be ready to bid in the region of £43m to £51m, with Rodri entering the final year of his current contract. The interest is significant, but City’s position is also clear: they do not want to sell.

Manchester City want to keep key midfielder

Rather than entertain a departure, City are hoping to agree a new long-term contract with Rodri. He remains central to their plans and is viewed as a leading figure in the squad.

The midfielder is currently recovering after successful back surgery. As things stand, he is expected to miss the Community Shield and City’s opening Premier League fixture of the season.

Even with that short-term setback, City want Rodri to be a major part of the team’s direction under Enzo Maresca. That makes Real’s expected move one to watch, but not one City are likely to welcome.

Why Rodri fits Real Madrid’s thinking

Rodri’s profile makes him an obvious target for Real Madrid. He is a Spain international, a World Cup-winning captain and one of the most established midfielders in the game.

There is also a wider context to Real’s recruitment. Florentino Perez, after his re-election as club president, faced criticism over the lack of Spain national team representation at the club. Real have already signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea this summer, and the club are thought to be aligned behind a move for Rodri as well.

City also working on Bouaddi deal

While City focus on keeping Rodri, they are also progressing in a separate midfield move. The club are believed to be advancing a deal for Lille and Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

That development does not alter Rodri’s importance, but it does underline that City are active in the market as they shape their squad for the season ahead.

• Real Madrid are expected to make an offer for Rodri.
• The proposed fee is believed to be in the region of £43m to £51m.
• Manchester City do not want to sell and hope to agree a new long-term contract.
• Rodri is recovering from back surgery.
• City are progressing with a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi.