Real Madrid ‘talking about’ Manchester City midfielder they ‘love’ ahead of possible transfer swoop | OneFootball

Officials and coaches from within Real Madrid are reportedly in ‘love’ with Manchester City’s Rodri as a possible future signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The latest reports linking the Spanish giants with a move for the Manchester City star come just days after Real Madrid’s entire delegation boycotted the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris due to Rodri’s success for football’s leading individual prize.

The Premier League champion and European Championships winner with Spain overcame competition from Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham in particular, whilst there was strong conversation in some quarters that Dani Carvajal should also have been a favourite.

The 28-year-old was keen to dismiss any feeling of discontent towards Real Madrid following their behaviour around the ceremony, and their failure to show respect to his mammoth achievement in the game.

Rodri told reporters in the French capital after receiving his title, “They have their decision. They didn’t want to be here for their reasons. I accept that. I just focus on my club and my team-mates and the people who are here and happy to congratulate me and that’s it.”

And while Real Madrid were clearly not too keen to congratulate Rodri on winning Ballon d’Or and becoming the first defensive midfielder to win the prize since 1990, Los Blancos continue to be linked with a transfer interest in the player.

According to the information of Spanish outlet Relevo, Manchester City’s newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is a name being ‘talked about’ in the offices of Real Madrid as a potential midfield recruit in future.

It is claimed that Real Madrid club officials and coaches ‘love’ the Manchester City midfield superstar, and see the Spain international as a solution to their problems in the centre of the park, despite his contract still running until the summer of 2027.

Interest from the Spanish capital does however coincide with a growing feeling from within the game that officials within the Etihad Stadium will finalise an agreement with the player over a new contract in the coming months.

One other report from Spain has indicated that Manchester City are in fact ‘extremely optimistic’ about announcing a contract extension for Rodri before the end of the ongoing season, with a renewal being a ‘priority objective’.

For now, Rodri’s focus will remain firmly on returning to full fitness after surgery on his knee earlier this Autumn, with Manchester City’s show of faith via a new potential contract certainly coming as a boost to him and his family.