“We’ll have to sit down and talk” – Rodri confirms Real Madrid transfer possibility from Manchester City

  • Rodri is into the final 15 months of his existing contract at Manchester City

  • Spain international has interest from Real Madrid amid talks with City over a renewal

  • Ballon d’Or winner confirms he is considering a return to his hometown

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has opened the door to joining Real Madrid as he approaches the final year of his contract in England’s north-west.

The 29-year-old has established himself as one of the best midfielders in world football since joining forces with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Madrid in 2019.

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Rodri has formed the spine of the most successful Manchester City side in the club’s history, helping the Blues win four Premier League titles and a maiden UEFA Champions League title amongst a plethora of silverware during his time in England.

However, the Spain international is into the final 15 months of his Manchester City contract and has attracted strong interest from the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of the summer transfer window.

Rodri coy on Manchester City future as Hugo Viana eyes breakthrough in contract talks

Rodri’s Man City contract situation explained

Manchester City fans would not be blamed for wondering why club officials – led by sporting director Hugo Viana – have left it this late to address the future of the club’s first-ever Ballon d’Or winner.

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Rodri’s current deal at the club runs till next summer and there is no indication at present that Viana and co are holding renewal talks with the midfielder’s camp.

Having endured an injury-riddled 18 months since he suffered an ACL injury in September 2024, Rodri has only started to play regularly for the Blues since January as Manchester City eye a successful finish to a transitional season.

City executives are understood to have delayed contract talks with the Spaniard over the course of his prolonged spell on the sidelines – and are now banking on the goodwill they have earned to hopefully tie Rodri down to a fresh, long-term contract.

Real Madrid and Rodri: A love-hate relationship?

It is under 18 months ago that Real Madrid decided to boycott the 2024 Ballon d’Or award ceremony in Paris to express their grief at Rodri pipping Brazil international Vinicius Jr. to the prestigious individual honour.

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However, Los Blancos have made Rodri a top target for the summer transfer window and in recent conversation with Radioestadio Noche, the midfielder has confirmed he is assessing the chance to return to the Spanish capital.

“I have one year left on my Manchester City contract,” Rodri said. “At some point, we’ll have to sit down and talk. Even though I’ve played for Atleti (Atletico Madrid), (Real) Madrid isn’t a closed door for me – you can’t turn your back on the best clubs. Playing at the Bernabéu is always incredible, it’s very intimidating.

“I hadn’t planned to play outside of Spain but Manchester City came up (as an option in 2019). I would like to return to the Spanish league, I still follow it. The Premier (League) is my weakness but it is also a very demanding league. For now, I am very happy there.”

Revealed: Manchester City’s four-man Premier League midfielder transfer shortlist

Will Rodri join Real Madrid this summer?

It is fairly likely that Rodri leaves Manchester City this summer, having flirted openly with the idea of joining Real Madrid, who recently eliminated Guardiola’s side from Europe for the third year running.

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City will not allow the midfielder to run down the remainder of his current deal and leave on a free next summer and should Rodri express a firm desire for an exit, Viana will want to sell the midfielder ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Real Madrid and Manchester City have forged a bitter rivalry over the years owing largely to the regularity with which the pair have faced off in the UEFA Champions League during Guardiola’s tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City fans will be dreading the prospect of losing one of their greatest-ever players to Real Madrid but the Santiago Bernabeu is the pinnacle of club football and it is easy to understand the appeal of returning to a star-studded Los Blancos side for Rodri.

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