Manchester City now nearing contract renewal for Rodri to fend off Real Madrid interest | OneFootball

Manchester City are pressing ahead with plans to secure Rodri to a new contract to avoid losing him to Real Madrid.

Manager Pep Guardiola has insisted on multiple occasions that the ‘best midfielder in the world‘ must stay with the club as long as possible.

City have been negotiating a contract renewal for several weeks and are now ready to accelerate the process.

Madrid have made no contact with Man City regarding a potential transfer, nor have they made any official move for the Spain international.

This is a significant detail that places Rodri considerably closer to a renewal than a departure at this stage.

He is approaching the final year of his current deal, and City are determined to avoid a scenario in which he enters the final 12 months of his contract with the lure of Madrid looming ever larger.

The midfielder did little to dampen speculation earlier in the season.

“You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world,” he said when pressed on Madrid’s interest, adding that he harbours a desire to return to La Liga before his career ends.

With John Stones and Bernardo Silva both expected to leave this summer, securing Rodri’s future would provide a crucial anchor of continuity around which Guardiola can build.

The question is whether Rodri – openly torn between his affection for English football and his desire to return home – will ultimately agree.

Man City believe he will, while Madrid are banking on the possibility he won’t.