Real Madrid 'preparing perfect welcome gift for Rodri' as Man City face losing key man

Manchester City are preparing to fend off transfer interest from Real Madrid, who are willing to roll out the red carpet for the star midfielder Rodri.

Scorer of the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final, Rodri’s stock has surged year on year under Pep Guardiola, with the 28-year-old even tipped for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Rodri has shone on the international stage too, winning the Player of the Tournament award at this summer’s European Championship.

A key cog in the team that won Spain a record fourth Euros title, Rodri is now being tipped to move back to his homeland, with Real Madrid reportedly interested in the star.

As per Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid chiefs have identified Rodri as their marquee signing for the 2025 summer transfer window.

The report suggests the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez share a ‘great dream’ to bring Rodri to the Santiago Bernabeu, as they plot the second edition of their Galacticos project.

Rodri is reported to be in contract talks with City, with the ex-Atletico Madrid star’s current deal set to run until June 2027.

It’s claimed City have tabled a mega contract offer to help bring Rodri on level pay with City’s biggest earners in a bid to keep him at the club well into his thirties.

City will be confident about convincing Rodri the Etihad Stadium is still the best place to play his football, but Real Madrid’s star men have already been putting in the leg work to get him to join the reigning European champions.

Speaking in the summer, Dani Carvajal said: “I tell Rodri every day to sign for Real Madrid… I tell him every day to leave Manchester, that there is no sun there and to come to Madrid because we need him.

“He tells me he has a contract… but he would be perfect for us.”

Rodri was quick to respond though, saying in an interview with AS: “I try to analyse all the decisions I make, to have a criterion.

“And, above all, I try to make processes. I’m very, very happy in England. I think I’m at one of the best clubs in the world, it’s obvious, and I’m happy.

“I have a three-year deal (at Manchester City) and, when the time comes, I will see. I’ve said it before with regard to the short term. I don’t like it or it doesn’t make much sense to look at the long term. Spain is my country, Madrid my city, at home.

“When I went to Manchester, I remember a conversation I had with my parents in which they asked me if I was sure because I was going to another country, another culture. And, in the end, one is happy when one is sure of things. If I go back, it would be with conviction.”