Report: Madrid eye move for City’s key midfield star amid contract doubts | OneFootball

Rodri’s Future at Manchester City Hangs in the Balance

Manchester City find themselves in an unfamiliar position – facing the genuine prospect of losing one of Pep Guardiola’s most indispensable players. According to AS, “The future of Rodrigo Hernández (29 years old) is yet to be decided and the next few months will be crucial.”

City are preparing to table a lucrative renewal offer – reportedly until 2029 – which would place Rodri alongside Erling Haaland as the club’s highest earner, and make him the best-paid midfielder in Europe. However, “he has neither decided nor is in a hurry to do so,” leaving City increasingly nervous amid growing Real Madrid interest.

Madrid’s Tempting Proposition

Real Madrid are in the market for a central midfielder, and the Ballon d’Or-winning Spain captain – a Madrid native – is one of the most coveted options for both Xabi Alonso and the club’s hierarchy. With few elite alternatives available, Rodri has become the prime target. AS note that “what seemed impossible a few months ago—losing Rodri—is starting to become a real threat.”

Irreplaceable Under Guardiola

Rodri’s influence at City is hard to overstate. He scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter and has been the heartbeat of Guardiola’s most successful sides. His absence last season, due to a knee injury, coincided with a noticeable dip in performance. Since returning, he has looked sharp, starring in City’s 5-2 win over Juventus and impressing in the Club World Cup.

World Cup Looms Over Decision

The midfielder’s immediate focus appears to be Spain’s 2026 World Cup campaign, a tournament he wants to win to complete his trophy collection. With his contract running until 2027, a failure to agree terms by next summer could force City into a difficult transfer decision to avoid losing him for free a year later.

AS conclude that “Rodri’s future is open. More open than ever.” For City fans, that openness will feel uncomfortably like a door Madrid are ready to step through.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a City supporter’s viewpoint, this is a nightmare scenario quietly brewing in the background. Rodri isn’t just another player – he’s arguably the most complete midfielder in world football right now. Losing him would be like removing the central pillar from a skyscraper.

Real Madrid’s interest feels inevitable; they’ve long had a history of targeting Madrid-born stars, and their pull remains immense. But this is about more than prestige – Rodri’s tactical intelligence, composure, and knack for decisive moments have been fundamental to Pep’s system.

The worry is the timing. If Rodri delays his decision until after the World Cup, City’s negotiating hand weakens considerably. Madrid know this and could use it to pressure both the player and the club. Fans will be urging the board to match whatever terms are needed, even if that means shattering wage structures.

That said, City have successfully fended off interest in their key players before. The club’s track record in player retention, coupled with Guardiola’s influence, should provide some hope. But until Rodri signs on the dotted line, there’s a nervous undercurrent among supporters – and a fear that 2026 could mark the end of a golden era in City’s midfield.