Real Madrid ready €60m bid as Rodri rejects new Man City deal
The Spanish giants are closing in on the midfielder after personal terms were agreed, but Manchester City are holding out for a higher fee.
Real Madrid are set to launch their first formal bid for Rodri after the Spain international turned down Manchester City's latest contract offer. The 30-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his current deal at the Premier League champions, giving Los Blancos an opening to negotiate a reduced fee for one of Europe's most influential midfielders.
According to sources, Madrid are preparing an initial offer worth between €50 million and €60 million. That figure is far below City's valuation of around €80 million, but with Rodri's contract running down, the English club face a difficult decision. They can either strike a deal this summer or risk losing the player for nothing when his contract expires in 2027.
Rodri is said to have already agreed personal terms with Madrid on a contract that would run until June 2030. The midfielder has made clear his desire to return to La Liga, where he previously played for Villarreal and Atletico Madrid before his move to England. His rejection of City's renewal proposal signals that he is ready for a new challenge after six seasons at the Etihad.
Why Madrid are pushing for Rodri now
Madrid's interest in Rodri is not new, but the timing has become more urgent. The club's midfield has undergone significant change in recent windows, with veteran figures departing. Rodri would bring calm, defensive structure and leadership to the engine room, qualities that manager Carlo Ancelotti values highly. His experience in Spanish football also makes him a lower-risk signing compared to other targets.
The €20 million gap between Madrid's opening bid and City's asking price is significant but not insurmountable. A package that includes a higher guaranteed fee and performance-related bonuses could bridge the divide. City may also be persuaded to sell if they believe Rodri will not extend his stay and they can reinvest the fee in a replacement before the window closes.
For now, no official bid has been accepted, and negotiations are expected to escalate in the coming days. City are likely to push Madrid closer to their €80 million valuation, but with the player's desire to leave becoming public, the balance of power has shifted.
Rodri has been a key figure in City's domestic and European success, including their historic treble in 2023. His partnership with Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield has been central to Pep Guardiola's system. Losing him would be a major blow, but if he has firmly decided against signing a new deal, the club may accept that selling now is the sensible business decision.