From Spain: Real Madrid make 257-appearance Manchester City star ‘main objective’ for summer 2025 | OneFootball

Real Madrid are preparing to pursue a transfer deal for Manchester City star Rodri next summer.

The 28-year-old, who moved to the Etihad Stadium in 2019 from Real Madrid’s local rivals Atletico Madrid, has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or award following an incredible year for both Manchester City and Spain.

The midfielder helped Manchester City win a record-breaking fourth successive Premier League title, as well as lifting the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with Pep Guardiola’s side.

Rodri made 50 starts for the Sky Blues during the 2023/24 campaign, and also helped Spain to European Championship glory during the summer, featuring in six matches for Luis de la Fuente’s side – including the quarter-final, semi-final and final.

The Spaniard hasn’t featured for Manchester City yet this season due to a hamstring injury, although the midfielder was named on the bench for Saturday evening’s 1-3 win over West Ham at the London Stadium.

The 28-year-old has been selected for Spain’s upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against both Serbia and Switzerland, although the midfielder’s Manchester City future has dominated the Spanish media in the build-up to the games.

Etihad bosses are planning to offer Rodri a bumper new contract in the comings months, rewarding the midfielder with a deal that would make the Spain international one of the highest paid players at Manchester City.

Sport Witness relay claims from AS suggesting that Real Madrid are looking to hijack the negotiations, having made the 28-year-old their ‘main objective’ for the 2025 summer transfer window.

Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez both reportedly have a ‘great dream’ of signing the 28-year-old from Manchester City next summer, with Rodri claimed to be ‘very tempted’ by the possibility of moving to the Santiago Bernabeu, should Guardiola leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of his current contract.

Rodri is further reported to have only ‘two paths’ next summer, sign a Manchester City contract extension or move to Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old is contracted in east Manchester until 2027, and any transfer of the midfielder would likely cost in excess of £100 million.