Real Madrid and Barcelona Set Sights on Manchester City Star Rodri

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly preparing ambitious moves to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri in what would be one of the biggest transfers of the coming years.

The 29‑year‑old has established himself as one of the best holding midfielders in world football and a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s system at City. His performances in the Premier League and Champions League have made him a long-term target for both La Liga clubs, who see him as a cornerstone for their next midfield era.

At Real Madrid, Rodri is viewed as an ideal long-term solution at the base of midfield, following the gradual transition from the legendary Casemiro–Modrić–Kroos era. Club figures are understood to admire his positional intelligence, passing range and ability to dictate the tempo in big matches, and he has been monitored closely for several seasons.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are also credited with serious interest. Rodri’s profile fits perfectly with the club’s historical identity: a technically gifted pivot who can control possession, build from the back and press intelligently. With the Catalan side still searching for a stable, long-term answer in the holding midfield role, Rodri is seen internally as a dream signing.

However, any move for the Spain international would be extremely complex. Rodri remains under contract at Manchester City until 2027, leaving the Premier League champions in a strong negotiating position. City consider him indispensable, and any club wishing to prize him away would likely need to present an offer well in excess of €100 million, alongside a convincing sporting project.

There is also no indication of an imminent push from the player’s side. Rodri has repeatedly spoken positively about life at City, where he has become a leader on and off the pitch. His future may also be influenced by the situation of Guardiola; speculation persists that any eventual departure of the manager could open the door to a return to Spain, though this remains hypothetical for now.

Adding further intrigue, former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta recently suggested that Rodri’s footballing identity is more closely aligned with Barcelona than Real Madrid and expressed doubt that the midfielder would choose Los Blancos if both Spanish giants came calling. Those comments have fuelled debate in Spain about which club would be more attractive to the player in the long term.

For now, the situation remains at the rumour stage. Real Madrid and Barcelona are clearly attentive and see Rodri as a potential pillar for the future, but Manchester City’s stance and the player’s current satisfaction in England mean any transfer would be a long, complicated process rather than an imminent deal.

Still, with both Spanish powerhouses in need of a new defensive midfield leader for the next decade, Rodri’s name is unlikely to disappear from their agendas any time soon.

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