Real Madrid and Barcelona both target Manchester City star | OneFootball

Man City Transfer News: Real Madrid and Barcelona Target Midfield Anchor

Rodri is at the centre of a potential summer tug of war. According to Sport Bild, both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are monitoring the Manchester City midfielder closely.

Photo IMAGO

The suggestion is clear. Spain’s two heavyweights are ready to test City’s resolve. Whether that develops into a bidding contest may depend on one man.

Guardiola Makes His Position Clear

Ahead of a Premier League fixture, Pep Guardiola was asked directly about the player’s future. His response, quoted by Sport Bild, left little room for doubt. “That is what I would very much like. Rodri is Rodri. The older he gets, the wiser he becomes and the better he understands the game.”

Photo IMAGO

It was an emphatic endorsement. Guardiola went further, praising his influence in decisive moments. “There are players who prove themselves on the big stages and in difficult situations. Rodri is one of them. Like Bernie, like Ruben and like many others I have had in the past. Without big personalities you cannot achieve what we have achieved.”

For City supporters, that reads as both appreciation and warning. Appreciation of a player who has dictated tempo in title races and Champions League nights. Warning that admiration abroad is growing.

Contract Security Yet Lingering Questions

Rodri remains under contract until summer 2027. On paper, that gives Manchester City strength. In reality, speculation rarely disappears so neatly. Sport Bild report that he sits high on Madrid’s shortlist, while Barcelona also see him as a strategic addition.

Photo IMAGO

There is another layer. Rumours in England continue to circle around Guardiola’s own future. Should the manager depart before 2027, the equation changes. The bond between coach and midfielder has been fundamental to City’s dominance.

Injuries have interrupted Rodri’s rhythm at times this season. Even so, his status inside the squad remains clear. If Guardiola stays, he wants his midfield fulcrum to stay too. If change comes in the dugout, others will sense opportunity.

City’s summer may hinge on more than one signature.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

When a player becomes the metronome of a title winning side, Europe notices. Real Madrid and Barcelona circling is almost a badge of honour.

Rodri has defined control for City. Think back to tight 2-1 wins in April, when the pressure peaks and possession becomes oxygen. He brings calm when others rush. He understands positioning in a way that protects defenders and empowers attackers.

City fans will take comfort in the 2027 contract. They will take greater comfort in Guardiola’s words. “Without big personalities you cannot achieve what we have achieved.” That line resonates. Rodri is central to that personality.

The real anxiety lies elsewhere. If Guardiola were to walk away, the sense of continuity shifts. Supporters would worry about a chain reaction. Stability has underpinned every trophy lift.

For now, the message is firm. City value their midfield anchor. Guardiola values him even more. That counts for plenty at the Etihad.