From Spain: Real Madrid willing to spend €100 million on Manchester City star this summer | OneFootball

New reports from Spain are claiming that La Liga giants Real Madrid would be willing to spend a nine-figure sum in order to sign Manchester City’s Rodri this summer.

The City midfielder has become arguably the most valuable holding player in world football across the last two seasons, and certainly a vital cog in his club’s recently all-conquering operation both domestically and in Europe.

Key to Pep Guardiola’s system, Rodri’s presence was notably missed throughout the course of last season owing to a serious knee injury sustained in September 2024, with many believing that his absence cost the club their entire season and forced them to settle for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

With consistent performances in both club and international competitions since arriving at Manchester City in 2019, Rodri has developed a reputation for dictating tempo of games and delivering in high-pressure moments — including in the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final.

His importance to Manchester City’s historic Treble season, and his continued output since then, saw him make history months later by claiming the Ballon d’Or as a holding midfielder for the first time since 1990, and earn widespread recognition as the best in his position.

Rodri also played a central role in Spain’s successful UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, further elevating his global stock. And despite Manchester City obviously holding no intention to sell or entertain conversations around the fact, Europe’s elite clubs have inevitably begun to circle.

According to the latest edition of Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, manager Xabi Alonso has asked for a central midfield signing and the La Liga club feel it would cost them around €100 million for their desired target.

From the perspective of Santiago Bernabeu officials, they are said to ‘understand none of them are worth it’ except Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or winning star Rodri, whom Real Madrid are reportedly willing to pay €100 million for.

With the Spain international’s contract at the Etihad Stadium running until the summer of 2029, Real Madrid know any deal for the City superstar will be difficult although it is made clear that they ‘really like’ the player.

Manchester City’s stance on Rodri remains unchanged — the midfielder is considered untouchable unless the player himself pushes for an exit, which seems highly unlikely given his desire to get his own availability and fitness back to its very top level this season.

Rodri is also believed to be settled in Manchester and under a contract that reflects his status as one of the Premier League’s top earners, with a desire from within the Etihad Stadium to only further reward the player through improved terms in the coming months.

Nonetheless, interest from Real Madrid is always something to watch closely, especially given Xabi Alonso’s influence on new sporting plans at the Bernabeu. While Los Blancos will also be tracking other midfielders, Rodri is a cut above — and perhaps the only one worth a transformative spend.

Whether Madrid will actually test Manchester City’s resolve remains to be seen, particularly given their own recent outlay on big-money stars over the course of the last few years and the spend that has been maintained this summer.