The shark circles to move for a Manchester City midfield lynchpin | OneFootball

As the second half of this season has progressed Rodri has returned to his best. The injury niggles and frustration that plagued the first half of this season for the Manchester City midfield general have subsided. Now, Rodri looks every bit the player who has won a Ballon d’Or and been a key part of Pep Guardiola’s side for so long. That has been pleasing to see given the serious knee injury that Rodri sustained last season. As Rodri has begun to return to his best, Real Madrid have been linked with a summer move for the Manchester City midfield lynchpin. Despite this, it is hard to see Rodri completing a move to the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid is reportedly eager to pry Rodri away from Manchester City.

A new report from James Marshment for TeamTalk states that Real Madrid have named Rodri as one of the priority signings for next summer. As per the TeamTalk report  Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterback is named as Real Madrid’s other transfer target. James Marshment’s report includes a summary from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Rodri’s future. Speaking on Real Madrid’s interest in signing Rodri, Romano explained: “Rodri is out of contract in 2027, and in the summer, he will face a big decision. He’ll decide in the next months whether he wants to stay at Manchester City. And so consider signing a new contract, or maybe – and this is not a financial decision from what I understand – it’s also about the family and a personal decision on whether he wants to stay in Manchester. Or maybe consider the possibility to try a new chapter.For sure, Rodri has fans internally at Real Madrid. He has people in Real Madrid’s management appreciating him.”

“So for sure Rodri could be an option for Real Madrid in the summer. But it’s Rodri who has to decide before any Real Madrid negotiation or attempt. It’s Rodri who has to decide whether he wants to stay at Manchester City and consider signing a new contract, so closing doors to an exit.”

It is hard to see Rodri leaving City let alone for Real Madrid.

The thought of Rodri leaving Manchester City isn’t one that anyone associated with City wants to consider. Rodri has established himself as one of the most important players in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Rodri arrived at City as a midfielder who had the talent to become one of the best midfielders in the game. He has fulfilled that potential and more at City. Rodri has won the Ballon d’Or at City and been integral to Manchester City’s era of success. There is a strong argument to be made that Rodri was the most important player in City’s era of dominance. That isn’t a bold statement to make.

It is hard to see Rodri leaving City for Real Madrid, even if it is rare to see Real Madrid miss out on a player they target. Although it does happen, as proven by Erling Haaland shunning Real Madrid to sign for City. What makes it harder to see Rodri moving to Real Madrid is Real Madrid’s previous actions. The La Liga giants snubbed Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win in 2024. The Spanish giants thought that Vinicius Junior should have won the award. They failed to attend the award ceremony. That can only be interpreted as a sign of disrespect to Rodri, despite Real Madrid’s statements saying otherwise. It is hard to see a player and person like Rodri forgetting that on a night that was so special to his career.

Real Madrid have reportedly set their sights on signing Rodri. Perhaps Rodri’s future is now a story to monitor. That remains to be seen but the big hope is that Rodri signs a contract extension with Manchester City ending any chance of Real Madrid swooping for a City stalwart.