Madrid Universal
·23 Juli 2025
Real Madrid would need to spend €100 million+ to sign Man City maestro this summer

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Yahoo sportsMadrid Universal
·23 Juli 2025
As the new season looms on the horizon, Real Madrid are once again being linked with a move for a new midfielder this summer.
The Merengues did not fill the void left by Toni Kroos’ retirement last year and have now lost Luka Modric as well, with Dani Ceballos expected to leave too.
As such, discussions for a new midfielder remain on the table, with the name of Manchester City heavyweight Rodri being mentioned as a possible target.
According to AS, Real Madrid’s monitoring of Rodri’s situation have caused concern within Manchester City.
The prospect of Los Blancos activating their transfer machinery to lure the midfielder has become a real short and long-term possibility.
Now, Real Madrid have to make a decision: either move now with a significant last-minute offer while the player still has two years left on his contract, or wait for next summer when he will be approaching the final year of his deal.
Rodri remains a target for Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Real Madrid have a track record of making late-window offers that put pressure on selling clubs to make quick decisions.
Signing Rodri this summer would almost certainly require a nine-figure fee – €100 million or more. But it also carries risk given the player’s recent serious knee injury.
From Manchester City’s perspective, such an offer could be tempting: a large sum for a 29-year-old recently returning from surgery. Yet both clubs would be acting without full clarity on the Ballon d’Or winner’s long-term fitness.
Waiting a year would mean missing out on reinforcing the midfield pivot this season, but it would bring greater clarity for the long-term.
If Rodri refuses to renew his contract in the coming months, his transfer fee would likely drop to around €60-80 million in the summer of 2026.
By then, he would be 30 and entering the final year of his contract, making him free to join another club the following summer.
Real Madrid would also have more certainty about the condition of his knee, although Manchester City would too, as they continue their efforts to renew him.