Man City plan to resist Real Madrid move
Manchester City bosses will resist all attempts from Real Madrid to sign Rodri this summer. Spanish giants Real have made the World Cup winner one of their No.1 priorities.
Rodri has entered the final 12 months of his current deal and has not agreed a new one at the Etihad. The midfielder's stock has never been higher, following his sensational exploits with Spain in North America this summer and one particular high-profile social media account has gone into overdrive in recent days.
Real president Florentino Perez is said to be preparing an initial £80m bid - and is even prepared to go to £100m for someone who will be available on a free transfer in 12 months time. But City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is set to hold firm - and rebuff his rivals from the Spanish capital.
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Maresca wants Rodri to stay at all costs
New boss Enzo Maresca has made it clear he wants to keep Rodri at all costs. Maresca, who will speak to the media for the first time on Friday since replacing Pep Guardiola, made this stipulation when negotiating his deal to become the new manager six months ago.
The Italian is planning to build his team around Rodri, and views the defensive midfielder as crucial when it comes to integrating new £116m signing Elliot Anderson into the side.
City bosses are still hopeful of agreeing a new deal with Rodri that would secure his long-term future.
But despite all his success in Manchester, the 30-year-old still harbours long-held ambitions to play for Real before he retires. Which means he could decide to run down his contract and leave the Etihad for nothing next summer.
Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for £62.6m and has gone on to become one of the most decorated players in the club's history.
Rodri has won 13 major trophies, including the Treble in 2023, as well as winning the Ballon d'Or in 2024, at the expense of Real's Vinicius Junior. He is also favourite to land the individual honour again next time round.
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