Manchester City brace for Real Madrid bid for Rodri amid contract talks
Rodri’s Contract Situation and Real Madrid Interest
Manchester City are preparing for a potential bid from Real Madrid for midfielder Rodri. Despite this, City remains hopeful that the 30-year-old Spain international will agree to a new contract. Rodri’s current terms are set to expire next June, and discussions regarding a new deal have been ongoing.
Real Madrid’s interest in Rodri has reportedly shifted after his performances as captain for Spain’s World Cup-winning team, where he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. His reliability during the summer has also addressed previous concerns about his physical condition following two seasons impacted by injuries. Rodri is scheduled to undergo surgery for a back injury after returning from North America.
In March, Rodri indicated a willingness to play for Real Madrid, stating that his previous time with Atlético would not prevent him from joining the club. He noted that other players have made similar moves, albeit not always directly. Real Madrid’s pursuit of Rodri could also spark interest from other prominent clubs, including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Other Transfer Market Developments
Leeds United is reportedly close to finalising a £40m deal to acquire 23-year-old England goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City. Meanwhile, Manchester United are in advanced discussions to loan 25-year-old Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee to Juventus for a season, with an option to buy for £30m.
Paris Saint-Germain is also reportedly interested in 23-year-old Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, who has also been linked with Aston Villa and Juventus. Crystal Palace has reached an agreement on personal terms with 19-year-old French centre-back Raphael Le Guen from Brest.
Real Madrid is scheduled to hold further talks with Vinicius Jr.’s representatives to secure a new long-term contract for the 26-year-old Brazil winger, amidst interest from Arsenal. Real Madrid has also submitted a second offer, reportedly between £94m and £98m, for 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande. Further negotiations are needed to meet RB Leipzig’s demands for Diomande, who was also a target for Liverpool.
Sevilla is reportedly willing to sell 22-year-old Ruben Vargas for 20m euros (£17m), with Brighton, Newcastle, and Aston Villa among the Premier League clubs showing interest in the 27-year-old Switzerland winger. Sunderland has agreed to personal terms with 20-year-old France Under-21 left-back Dayann Methalie from Toulouse. Additionally, Ipswich Town is interested in 29-year-old Serbia international Sasa Lukic from Fulham, among other midfield targets this summer.
Financial Considerations and Midfield Targets
Real Madrid may need to generate funds to sign Rodri, particularly if they proceed with the expected acquisition of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a fee reportedly “well in excess” of €100m (£85m). This could potentially lead to the sale of Aurélien Tchouaméni, a 26-year-old Frenchman who is thought to have agreed to a new contract with Real Madrid, though this has not been officially announced. His current deal is set to end in the summer of 2028.
Manchester United maintains an interest in Tchouaméni, but earlier in the transfer window, there were uncertainties regarding whether Real Madrid’s asking price of around £70m for the midfielder was within their budget. Tchouaméni’s teammate, Eduardo Camavinga, is also on United’s radar and could cost between €50m and €60m.
For Barcelona, the long-term injury to Frenkie de Jong has altered their midfield considerations. While Pedri is a key player, the identity of his midfield partner remains unclear. Marc Bernal, though promising, is 18 and unproven at the highest level, and concerns exist regarding Gavi’s injury history. These factors highlight the ongoing midfield discussions among top European clubs.
Source: bbc.com
