Real Madrid make transfer decision on Rodri amid Manchester City contract belief | OneFootball

Manchester City have received a boost in their efforts to secure Rodri’s long-term future after reports from Spain dismissed Real Madrid’s interest in signing the midfielder this summer, according to a new report.

The Spanish international continues to be one of the most important players in Pep Guardiola’s tactical system for Manchester City. Rodri has become one of the most vital holding midfielders in European football since he joined Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2019.

He controls the pace of the game and continues to provide defensive balance in Guardiola’s positional system. For a long time, the Spaniard’s ability to read the game has been at the centre of City’s midfield. He acts as the pivot, linking defensive and attacking phases of play. He often steps into advanced areas to maintain numerical superiority in possession.

Guardiola’s style depends on him being able to control transitions and provide forward passes under pressure. That importance highlights why the club has already started making plans for what will happen after his current contract ends.

What is going on with Rodri’s contract situation at Manchester City?

Rodri’s current contract has less than 18 months left and internal discussions have been ongoing regarding a potential extension as City seek to maintain stability in a key position.

Recent speculation in Spanish media suggested Real Madrid were exploring a move for the 29-year-old as part of their midfield rebuild. Previously, Sport Witness had relayed that Real Madrid had identified Rodri and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck as main priorities for the next window, with the Los Blancos having allocated €100 million to sign the duo.

However, according to journalist José Félix Díaz of AS, who has covered the latest on Rodri’s future at the Etihad, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, those reports do not reflect Madrid’s current transfer strategy.

The Spanish outlet states that while Real Madrid value Rodri highly, he is not included on their list of priority targets for the upcoming transfer window. Instead, their target list includes younger midfield options like Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit and Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha.

Have Manchester City offered a contract renewal to Rodri?

The news comes at a time when Manchester City attempt to secure Rodri’s future. According to the same report, the Premier League champions have already offered the midfielder a new contract that would keep him with the team beyond the current season, which ends in 2027.

The details of the offer haven’t been made public but it’s clear what the City management would like – maintain continuity around one of the most influential players in Guardiola’s system.

Executives at the Etihad Stadium view Rodri as a key figure whose experience and leadership are still important now that some of the other senior players’ futures are up in the air.

Are Real Madrid still interested in signing Rodri this summer?

There is, however, one more thing that is affecting contract discussions. Reports from Spain suggest that a number of City players are waiting to see what Guardiola’s long-term plans are before signing new contracts.

The Manchester City manager’s future beyond the coming seasons could therefore play a role in shaping decisions across the squad – amid a growing belief in Premier League circles that Guardiola could leave the Blues at the end of the current season.

For Manchester City, the fact that Real Madrid are no longer interested in signing Rodri is a significant shift in the narrative surrounding the 29-year-old’s future.

Even though contract talks are still going on, the fact that one of Europe’s most persistent transfer rivals are not interested makes Manchester City’s negotiating position stronger as they seek to convince the midfielder to stay at the Etihad Stadium for a long time.