Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Rodri’s controversial Real Madrid transfer comments | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered his verdict on Rodri’s radio interview opening the door to joining Real Madrid in the future.

The 29-year-old has flirted with the prospect of moving to the Santiago Bernabeu as he approaches the final year of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has established himself as arguably the best holding midfielder in world football, having become the first player in City history to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024.

Manchester City are understood to have offered a new contract to the Spain international, who is expected to make a decision on his future in England in the coming months.

Pep: I know the intention of the club with Rodri

Speaking in a press conference on Friday afternoon, Guardiola was asked for his thoughts on Rodri’s recent interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

Referring to City’s lucrative contract offer to the four-time Premier League winner ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against Liverpool, Guardiola said: “I know the intention of the club, I know the intention of him, but I don’t know (what will happen).”

Manchester City are expected to receive a decision from Rodri and his camp over the midfielder’s future in the remainder of the season as the Blues vie for a domestic treble.

Rodri starred in the middle of the park at Wembley last month as City won their first trophy in two seasons by beating Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final – with the Villarreal academy graduate representing Spain in the recent international break.

Could Rodri join Real Madrid this summer?

There is a chance Rodri rejects Manchester City’s contract offer – in the event of which the club will look to cash in on the midfielder in the upcoming transfer window to avoid the risk of losing him on a free next summer.

It is not yet known whether Rodri is actively looking to leave the club but there is a belief that the Madrid-born star wants to return to his hometown as he approaches 30 and enters the final stages of his professional career.

Manchester City will be keen to fend off interest from Real Madrid and tie Rodri down to a long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium as the Blues took to build a title-winning squad to challenge for major trophies in the seasons to come.

Rodri is expected to start alongside Bernardo Silva and Rodri in midfield for City against Liverpool on Saturday as the Blues look to register their berth in the FA Cup semi-final.