Rodri Demands Real Madrid Move as Manchester City Hold Out for €75 Million Fee

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has designated Real Madrid as his sole preferred destination if he leaves Manchester City, rejecting interest from rival clubs as a standoff over his valuation and fitness history takes shape.

The Spanish midfielder has no interest in joining Barcelona, despite an initial enquiry from the Catalan club, according to reporting by Diario AS. While Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich previously monitored his situation, both clubs withdrew after learning of Rodri’s singular determination to return to his home city to play for Real Madrid, Goal reported.

However, Real Madrid’s enthusiasm for the transaction remains tempered by financial and squad considerations. Manchester City are demanding €75 million for the midfielder, whose contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until June 2027. Real Madrid prefer to bring that valuation closer to €60 million and face squad constraints that permit only one midfield arrival, contingent on a player departure.

Internal hesitation at Madrid has also been fueled by Rodri’s recent physical record following a major knee injury. Reporting by The Times highlighted growing concerns over his availability after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in September 2024. Before the injury, Rodri had missed just 3.4 percent of available playing days at Manchester City; since returning, that missed-day figure has surged to 34 percent.

Madrid’s recruitment committee is also taking age and profile into account, with Rodri set to turn 30 at the start of next season. Diario AS reported that Madrid management are assessing whether to commit major funds to an older player when their preference is for a dynamic centrocampista who can influence all phases of play.

Barcelona’s brief pursuit of Rodri has already hit a standstill. Citing Cadena SER, Goal reported that Barcelona contacted Rodri’s representatives following an injury to midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but never submitted a formal bid to Manchester City. Barcelona’s current priorities center on securing defender João Cancelo and replacing departed striker Robert Lewandowski. Having already invested €110 million in Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jesse Baesio, raising an additional €75 million for Rodri presents an unsustainable financial hurdle.

As negotiations remain at an impasse, Real Madrid continue to evaluate alternative midfield targets, including Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández and Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimarães.