Rodri has made it clear that his preference is solely for Real Madrid, according to a report by Diario AS. The recent inquiry from Barcelona has not swayed the Manchester City midfielder in the least. The report indicates that the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner remains undeterred by Barcelona’s interest, focusing solely on a return to his hometown to don the white jersey.
Rodri’s Clear Priority
Rodri has been forthright about his ambitions. Previously, he stated that turning down an offer from a top club was not an option for him, leaving the door open for potential moves, even with Barcelona’s interest now on the table.
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According to Diario AS, despite a good rapport with several Barcelona players through the Spain national team—including Pedri and Lamine Yamal—Rodri has not expressed any interest in a move to Camp Nou. His focus is solely on Real Madrid. Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich had previously shown interest, but both clubs have stepped back upon realizing his preference for the Madrid jersey, as noted by Goal.
Barcelona’s interest, as reported by Goal citing Cadena SER, has not advanced to a formal proposal for Manchester City. While they have reached out to Rodri’s representatives, discussions with City are yet to take place. The club’s interest in Rodri was prompted by Frenkie de Jong‘s injury, but they have since recognized his strong preference. Currently, Barcelona is focused on finalizing the signing of Cancelo and finding a striker after Robert Lewandowski‘s exit. Moreover, after investing 110 million euros on Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jesse Baesio, raising another 75 million euros for Rodri would pose a significant challenge.
Madrid’s Complicated Stance
Rodri’s desire is not matched by a similar eagerness from Los Blancos. Earlier reports from Diario AS indicated that Rodri was not included in Madrid’s future plans, and The Times has reported that interest at the Bernabéu has dwindled, primarily due to concerns about his fitness.
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The statistics speak for themselves. Before his ACL injury in September 2024, Rodri had missed only 3.4 percent of available days due to injury while at City. However, since returning, that figure has surged to 34 percent. Madrid’s inclination towards targets with longer-term resale value—Rodri will be 30 at the beginning of the next season—has also influenced their thinking. AS notes that the club is in search of a centrocampista, a versatile midfielder who can contribute defensively as well as offensively.
Additionally, squad management plays a crucial role. As recent reports regarding Yan Diomandé and the landscape of the Madrid midfield reveal, there is currently room for only one new addition in that position, meaning any deal for Rodri would hinge on an outgoing transfer.
The Financial Disparity and Future Prospects
Manchester City is reportedly holding firm on a €75 million asking price, while Madrid is keen to negotiate closer to €60 million. Rodri’s contract at the Etihad extends until June 2027, and alternatives like Chelsea‘s Enzo Fernández and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães present their own challenges as Madrid continues to evaluate midfielder options before the transfer window closes.