Revealed: Manchester City stance on Rodri contract talks amid Real Madrid interest | OneFootball

Manchester City remain confident that Rodri will sign a new contract and stay at the club for at least a few more years, as per a new report.

The 29-year-old is approaching the final year of his current deal in Manchester and has attracted considerable interest from Real Madrid, having opened the door to a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in a recent radio interview on Spanish station Onda Cero that sent shockwaves through the City fanbase.

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

He has returned to his best since January after an injury-ravaged 18 months on the sidelines, with manager Pep Guardiola insisting earlier this month that the club’s position on his future is unambiguous – stay, stay and stay.

City have submitted a formal contract offer to the Spain international, with a decision from Rodri and his camp not expected imminently as the midfielder continues to weigh up his options as the end of the season approaches.

Report: Strong belief at City that Rodri will sign new deal

According to Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, there remains ‘plenty of belief’ at the Etihad Stadium that Rodri will put pen to paper on a new deal to keep him around for at least a few more seasons.

The report represents a significant vote of confidence from within the club, suggesting City’s hierarchy remains optimistic despite the noise generated by Rodri’s recent comments and the ongoing attention from Real Madrid.

City officials are planning for next season with the expectation that Rodri will stay put, though they are equally prepared to cash in on the midfielder this summer should he ultimately decide to pursue a move to Spain – rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2027.

What is the wider context around Rodri’s future?

Rodri has clarified his Onda Cero interview and insisted his comments had been taken out of context, with those who had only listened to snippets on social media rather than the interview in full – drawing inaccurate conclusions.

Real Madrid’s interest in Rodri has been persistent, though reports suggested their pursuit had cooled somewhat following one particular performance earlier this season.

The Madrid-born midfielder is understood to harbour a desire to return to his hometown as he enters the latter stages of his professional career, though City’s optimism suggests the balance of probability currently favours a renewal.

Guardiola has been open about his personal wish for Rodri to stay as long as possible at the club, acknowledging that no player would turn down the chance to join Real Madrid while simultaneously making clear the affection he holds for the Spaniard.

For City director of football Hugo Viana, securing Rodri’s signature would represent one of the most significant pieces of business City conduct this summer – one that would provide a platform of stability around which the ongoing rebuild can continue to progress.