Real Madrid are reportedly back in pursuit of Manchester City’s midfield lynchpin Rodri, with Mundo Deportivo relaying reports from England suggesting that Los Blancos are preparing an extraordinary bid to land the Spaniard next summer.

The 29-year-old remains one of the most indispensable players under Pep Guardiola, anchoring City’s midfield with a blend of intelligence, tactical precision, and physical authority.

Yet despite his importance to the Premier League champions, Madrid’s interest has reignited — and this time, they appear ready to go all in.

Madrid’s Renewed Interest

According to the reports, Real Madrid’s top brass have begun internal discussions about the feasibility of a move, with Rodri once again seen as the ideal successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Florentino Pérez has long admired the player’s maturity, leadership, and consistency — traits that align with the club’s ambition to construct another era-defining midfield.

Rodri’s current contract with City runs until 2027, meaning any deal would require not only a colossal transfer fee but also a persuasive pitch to the player himself.

The Spaniard is deeply valued by Guardiola and club president Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, who is reportedly preparing a new contract offer with improved wages to secure his long-term future in Manchester.

The Financial Equation

Real Madrid, however, are prepared to test City’s resolve. Sources indicate that the club is ready to table an offer in the region of €150 million, a figure that would make Rodri one of the most expensive signings in football history.

Initially, Madrid were believed to be exploring a bid closer to €100 million, but City’s reluctance to engage in talks has forced the Spanish giants to consider a more audacious proposal.

The club recognises that a fee in the €130-150 million range may be required to even open negotiations with the Premier League champions.

What Rodri Would Bring to Madrid

For Real Madrid, Rodri’s acquisition would be about more than replacing ageing legends.

His tactical awareness, composure under pressure, and exceptional ability to dictate tempo make him arguably the best holding midfielder in the world.

Even after a knee injury setback in 2024, he has returned to full fitness and continues to dominate games for City — both as a destroyer and as a deep-lying playmaker.

For Madrid, he represents the natural heir to the midfield legacy built by Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric — a player capable of commanding the centre of the park for the next five years.

City’s Reluctance and Guardiola’s Stance

From Manchester City’s standpoint, losing Rodri would be unthinkable. Guardiola has built his system around the Spaniard’s positional mastery, and his absence in any game often exposes City’s vulnerabilities.

The club sees him as untouchable, and Al-Mubarak’s intention to offer a significant pay rise only reinforces that stance.

Nevertheless, Madrid’s financial power and Rodri’s Spanish roots mean the saga could develop into one of the most compelling transfer stories of 2026.

Strategic Implications for Real Madrid

If Madrid do move for Rodri, player sales may be necessary to balance the books. Names such as Aurélien Tchouaméni or Dani Ceballos could be considered for departure, especially if Los Blancos wish to comply with La Liga’s financial regulations.

Still, landing Rodri would be a massive statement — signalling not just the continuation of Madrid’s generational rebuild, but also their intent to dominate European football for years to come.

Whether City will even entertain the conversation remains to be seen, but Real Madrid’s ambition is clear: they want Rodri to be the heartbeat of their next great team.