Rodrygo instructs agents of transfer intent but Manchester City may face disappointment | OneFootball

A new report has claimed that Manchester City may have already faced disappointment in any intended pursuit of Real Madrid’s Rodrygo this summer.

The Brazil international has long been admired at the Etihad Stadium, with senior recruitment officials viewing him as a potential addition to Pep Guardiola’s forward line.

However, City’s stance has consistently been to only explore the possibility of signing Rodrygo late in the window, and crucially, only if current winger Savinho were to leave with Tottenham continuing to test the club’s resolve for the 21-year-old wide man.

For City, the pursuit of top-tier attacking talent is part of their wider strategy to safeguard the club’s future beyond the current front line. With Jack Grealish having joined Everton on loan with an option to buy, Savinho subject to Spurs interest, and the likes of Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland carrying the weight of the attack, it is no surprise that names such as Rodrygo are being monitored.

Yet Real Madrid’s strength in retaining their stars has often proved a stumbling block for suitors. Rodrygo himself has been a vital figure in Madrid’s recent successes, flourishing under Carlo Ancelotti and playing a key role in La Liga and UEFA Champions League triumphs.

Despite speculation over his future following Real Madrid’s heavy recruitment in attack, the 24-year-old has often reiterated his desire to fight for his place at the Bernabéu.

But according to the information of The Athletic’s Guillermo Rai and Mario Cortegana, Rodrygo had instructed agents Pini Zahavi and Kia Joorabchian to explore a new destination for him this summer, despite his camp insisting he wants to stay at Real Madrid.

However, it is revealed that the clubs who had subsequently expressed an interest in the Brazilian forward were left with the impression that Rodrygo was not fully convinced about leaving the Spanish capital.

This mixed messaging has left potential buyers uncertain, with suggestions that unless a truly irresistible project emerges, Rodrygo is more likely to remain with Los Blancos this summer. For City, that means their best chance of signing the winger could only come if their hand is forced by Savinho’s departure.

Looking ahead, Manchester City fans may need to watch the final weeks of the summer transfer window closely. If Tottenham’s push for Savinho intensifies and the Brazilian is lured to North London, City could be expected to act decisively with Madrid and Rodrygo’s representatives.

Until then, the situation appears to be one of patience and opportunism rather than outright pursuit. With Madrid reluctant to weaken their squad further after high-profile arrivals, any move for Rodrygo would be complex, expensive, and potentially dependent on late-window circumstances.

For now, disappointment appears the prevailing theme for Manchester City’s ambitions in this particular chase.