Man City want Real Madrid target to sign new contract 'as soon as possible' | OneFootball

Manchester City are hoping to secure the long-term future of integral midfielder Rodri "as soon as possible", despite the Euro 2024 winner still having almost three years left on his contract.

Madrid-born Rodri was hardly known when he joined City in a £62.6m transfer at the age of 23 in 2019. But he has grown to become arguably the most important player in Pep Guardiola’s winning machine, particularly over the last two years.

The Spaniard was named Champions League Player of the Season for 2022/23 and also walked away from this summer's European Championship as Player of the Tournament following Spain's victory.

Rodri has a contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2027, a deal he signed just over two years ago. But, according to The Athletic, City don't want to waste time in tying him down for longer, especially now with known interest from home-town club Real Madrid.

The timing is considered "standard practice" for City, but the Premier League champions are described as having "always suspected" that Madrid would eventually show interest. There have been reports of an operation to sign Rodri as soon as 2025, fairly typical in the Spanish press when it comes to a marquee target, that have been played down by those at the Bernabeu.

Rodri is considered a contender for the Ballon d'Or / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Madrid can offer Rodri a route home to the Spanish sunshine and close proximity to his family, but they are not willing to financially match what City are prepared to offer in terms of personal terms and have doubts about being able to afford whatever price tag is put on the player.

However, Madrid will keep tabs on Rodri as the wider football world waits to discover the outcome of the 115 charges brought against City by the Premier League and whether any potential punishment might open the door to an opportunistic approach.

Rodri is reported by The Athletic to have no immediate desire to leave City but does find "appeal" in the idea of playing in Madrid, having previously represented Atletico for just one season, again.