‘Not for sale’ – Man City send firm message to Real Madrid over transfer reports | OneFootball

Real Madrid end Rodri pursuit as Man City hold firm

Madrid end interest amid injury and valuation concerns

Real Madrid have decided to end their long-standing pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, according to TeamTalk and Spanish outlet Defensa Central. The La Liga giants have reportedly deemed a deal “a high-risk operation due to the player’s physical condition,” with president Florentino Perez now convinced it would be “almost impossible for that opinion to change.”

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Madrid had monitored the midfielder’s progress throughout the 2025/26 campaign, with some within the club open to a summer move worth around £130 million. Yet concerns about age, cost, and fitness have brought the discussions to an end. At 29, Rodri is approaching an age that typically deters Madrid from making such expensive investments, particularly for players recovering from long-term injuries.

As TeamTalk reported, Perez has decided “not to pursue” the deal after the midfielder’s latest setback, sustained in City’s win against Brentford. That injury, described as muscular by Pep Guardiola, has again raised questions about Rodri’s long-term durability.

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City’s stance remains immovable

While Madrid’s hesitation comes from caution, City’s position has been resolute. Club sources have told TeamTalk that Rodri remains “a big part of their future” and that there is no interest in entertaining offers, even from Madrid.

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Transfer insider Dean Jones explained: “City certainly do not want to entertain any offers and will hope that Madrid set their sights on someone else at the end of the season.” He added, “I am told his focus is completely on City, as they continue to support him.”

That backing has been visible from Guardiola himself. Following the Brentford match, the City manager said, “It’s muscular. Of course, I don’t want to lose him [at all] because he is such an important player. We tried to take care of him, but it is what it is.”

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Guardiola later added, as quoted by Goal, “I was right, no? You asked me why I don’t play him 90 minutes all the time. This is why we tried to be gentle and play [him] for 60-65 minutes.”

Madrid’s midfield depth changes equation

Madrid’s decision is also shaped by their own depth in midfield. Xabi Alonso’s squad already includes Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, while others such as Jude Bellingham have proven capable in deeper roles when required.

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For that reason, Perez is understood to have concluded that pursuing Rodri would represent unnecessary financial risk. According to Defensa Central, Madrid’s leadership believes there is no compelling need to spend such a large sum on a player who has already faced significant injury absences.

Madrid had considered testing City’s resolve next summer, but with Perez’s final decision, attention has turned to alternative targets across Europe. The stance from Madrid appears definitive, with sources reiterating, “It’s almost impossible for that opinion to change.”

Focus turns to recovery and stability

For Rodri, the immediate focus is recovery. Speaking to Sky Sports after leaving the pitch against Brentford, he said, “I felt a little bit in the hamstring, but it seems as though it’s not that much. I stretched a bit, like in the final of the Euros. But the most important thing is it’s not that big.”

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City’s medical team continue to manage his minutes carefully, especially after last season’s ruptured ACL which limited him to just 15 appearances since the start of the 2023/24 campaign. His controlled workload remains central to City’s broader strategy, particularly given their reliance on his tempo-setting role at the heart of midfield.

As Guardiola continues to rotate his squad through domestic and European competition, City’s message is clear: Rodri remains essential to their project, and his future lies firmly in Manchester.

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This report will bring a sense of relief more than surprise to City supporters. The thought of Real Madrid circling around one of the club’s most vital players has always stirred unease, but this confirmation from Spain feels like closure.

Many City fans would argue that Rodri represents the heartbeat of Guardiola’s system. His ability to dictate play, break lines and manage transitions is what makes City’s style so effective. Losing him, even hypothetically, would have been more than a transfer issue, it would have been a structural crisis.

There will, however, be lingering concern about his fitness. Supporters have seen glimpses of vulnerability over the past year, with muscular and ligament issues disrupting his rhythm. City fans will hope that the club’s sports science department continue to manage his workload intelligently, particularly as fixtures pile up across competitions.

Ultimately, Madrid’s withdrawal is viewed in Manchester as validation of City’s strength. Few clubs can reject a £130 million valuation and still feel unshaken. The message from both club and fanbase is clear: Rodri is irreplaceable, and keeping him fit may be the key to winning trophies this season.