Real Madrid intensify chase for Manchester City Rodri after World Cup

Real Madrid are reportedly preparing a bid for Manchester City midfielder Rodri, the 30‑year‑old who captained Spain to a 1‑0 FIFA World Cup final win over Argentina in New York, after City originally paid £62.8 million for him in July 2019.

Rodri’s World Cup performances earned him the 2024 Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament award, beating peers such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. The accolades have reignited Real’s interest in the midfielder.

Real Madrid, previously silent on the City midfielder, are now actively reconsidering a move, with President Florentino Pérez reportedly shifting his stance after journalist Matteo Moretto highlighted the club’s renewed push.

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Manchester City are determined to retain Rodri until the end of his contract, which runs through the 2026/27 season, and have presented a substantial financial package to persuade him to sign a new deal.

Rodri himself said in March that “you cannot turn down the best clubs in the world”, underscoring his openness to a move despite his earlier comment that his Atletico Madrid past would not stop him joining rivals Real Madrid.

Since joining City in July 2019 for a record £62.8 million, Rodri helped the club win its first UEFA Champions League, a 2023 treble, a Carabao Cup final over Arsenal and an FA Cup final against Chelsea; after an ACL tear at the start of the 2024/25 season he returned to Ballon d’Or‑winning form.

The renewed pursuit highlights the intense competition among Europe’s elite clubs for World Cup‑proven talent, with Real Madrid and Manchester City locked in a tug‑of‑war over the midfielder’s future.