How Man City have reacted to Rodri’s transfer comments concerning Real Madrid | OneFootball

Senior staff within Manchester City are expected to have reacted to Rodri’s latest comments concerning a return to Spanish football without too much ‘surprise’, according to follow-up reports.

Speaking whilst away on international duty with Spain this week, Rodri admitted “you can’t rule out the best clubs in the world” when asked about potential transfer interest from Real Madrid and played down the impact his history with Atletico would have on a switch.

The Manchester City midfielder, who claimed the Ballon d’Or in 2024 and scored the club’s Champions League Final winning goal in 2023, will be out of contract in June, 2027 sparking interest from Europe’s premier clubs.

City and their medical staff have worked tirelessly to get Rodri back to his physical best over the last 12 months, after the midfielder endured a horror knee injury in 2024 during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal – ruling him out for the majority of that season.

But having seemingly returned to his ever-impressive standards of performance in recent weeks, Rodri himself has seemingly become more outspoken about his future, culminating in comments this week concerning the Bernabeu.

What is likely to have been Man City’s reaction to Rodri’s comments?

Now, according to a wider-ranging report from The Times, it is claimed that Rodri’s latest comments will ‘not come as much of a surprise’ to senior staff within Manchester City.

That is amid a consistent feeling that the midfielder ‘would like to end his playing days in Spain’, while the same club staff have ‘always suspected’ that Rodri would one day ‘yearn to return’ to Atletico Madrid, or move to Real Madrid.

From the side of the Ballon d’Or winning defensive midfielder, Rodri is said to have a career plan that he ‘mapped out several years ago’.

How will Man City react to Rodri wanting a transfer?

Should Rodri indicate a desire to move on from his seven-season stay at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City officials are unlikely to stand in his way of an exit, and facilitate a deal this summer for the right price.

However, the club’s priority will no doubt be to extend the Spain international’s contract, and reward him with a package that reflects his staggering achievements for the club, particularly since the Treble-winning campaign of 2022/23.

It remains to be seen whether there will be any other movement in the centre of midfield beyond Bernardo Silva and perhaps Rodri this summer, but City will be desperate to ensure it isn’t a high-profile triple exit added to by Pep Guardiola.

The Catalan’s own future at Manchester City remains in doubt over the ongoing international break, with reports in recent days suggesting that the 55-year-old would use the pause from club duties to reflect on his position at the Etihad Stadium.