In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the football world, Real Madrid are reportedly plotting a surprise move for Manchester City midfielder and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Despite publicly boycotting the prestigious award ceremony just days ago, it seems Los Blancos have had a change of heart and now see the Spanish international as the key to revitalizing their faltering midfield.
Madrid’s Midfield Woes
According to a close source, Real Madrid feel their current midfield options are underperforming, despite significant investment in recent years. The likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Federico Valverde have struggled to consistently control games and provide the creative spark needed to break down stubborn defenses.
In contrast, Rodri has been an indispensable figure for both Manchester City and the Spain national team, showcasing his ability to dictate play, shield the defense, and chip in with crucial goals. His commanding performances and leadership qualities have not gone unnoticed by Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who is said to be a huge admirer of the 28-year-old.
Bernabeu Bound?
Born just a stone’s throw from the iconic Bernabeu stadium, the allure of representing his hometown club could prove too strong for Rodri to resist. Despite being under contract at the Etihad until 2027, the midfielder is reportedly stalling on signing a lucrative extension that would make him one of City’s top earners alongside Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.
Insiders suggest Rodri is carefully monitoring the outcome of Manchester City’s ongoing Financial Fair Play trial and the potential repercussions it may have on the club’s long-term project. With influential director of football Txiki Begiristain set to depart and manager Pep Guardiola’s future still uncertain, the Ballon d’Or winner may view this as the perfect time to embark on a new challenge.
Rodri is exactly the kind of player Real Madrid need right now. He has the technical quality, tactical intelligence, and winning mentality to transform their midfield. It won’t be easy to pry him away from City, but if anyone can pull off this transfer coup, it’s Florentino Pérez.
An anonymous La Liga expert
A Friendship Forged in White
Rodri’s close friendship with Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal could also play a crucial role in any potential move. The pair have been inseparable since their days together in Spain’s youth teams and are known to regularly discuss their respective clubs and ambitions.
Carvajal has made no secret of his desire to one day line up alongside Rodri at the Bernabeu, waxing lyrical about his compatriot’s qualities in several interviews. “Rodri is the complete midfielder,” Carvajal recently gushed. “He can do it all – defend, create, score goals. He would be an incredible addition to any team, but especially Real Madrid.”
The Ancelotti Factor
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this potential transfer is the admiration Ancelotti reportedly has for Rodri. The Italian maestro is no stranger to building title-winning midfields, having coached some of the greatest players in the position during his illustrious career.
- At AC Milan, Ancelotti had the pleasure of working with Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso
- During his first stint at Real Madrid, he guided Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira to Champions League glory
- More recently, Ancelotti transformed Everton’s engine room with the signing of Allan from Napoli
The prospect of Ancelotti molding Rodri into the centerpiece of a new-look Real Madrid midfield is a tantalizing one for Blancos fans. The 63-year-old’s tactical acumen and man-management skills could be the perfect fit for a player of Rodri’s ilk, allowing him to take his game to even greater heights.
A Ballon d’Or Bargain?
While prising Rodri away from Manchester City will undoubtedly require a hefty transfer fee, Real Madrid may view it as a price worth paying for a player of his caliber. In today’s inflated market, securing the services of a Ballon d’Or winner in his prime could be seen as a relative bargain.
| Player | Transfer Fee | Age at Time of Transfer |
| Neymar | €222 million | 25 |
| Kylian Mbappé | €180 million | 20 |
| Philippe Coutinho | €160 million | 25 |
| Joao Felix | €126 million | 19 |
Compared to some of the eye-watering fees paid for attacking talents in recent years, investing in a proven world-class midfielder like Rodri could be a shrewd piece of business. His ability to control games, break up play, and chip in with important goals would undoubtedly bolster Real Madrid’s chances of domestic and European success.
The Verdict
As the transfer window inches closer, the football world waits with bated breath to see if Real Madrid can pull off this audacious move for Rodri. The irony of the Ballon d’Or winner swapping sky blue for pristine white mere days after Los Blancos boycotted the award ceremony is not lost on observers.
For Rodri, the opportunity to return to his hometown and lead Real Madrid’s midfield revolution may prove too tempting to turn down. The allure of working under a legendary coach like Ancelotti, combined with the chance to win silverware at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs, could be the perfect next step in his already glittering career.
As for Manchester City, losing a player of Rodri’s caliber would undoubtedly be a blow, but with their financial might and proven track record in the transfer market, they would surely have a contingency plan in place. The likes of Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham have all been linked with moves to the Etihad in recent months and could potentially fill the void left by the Spaniard.
One thing is for certain – if Real Madrid do manage to secure Rodri’s signature, it would send a powerful message to their rivals both at home and abroad. Landing a player of his caliber would be a major coup and could well propel them back to the summit of European football.
As the transfer saga unfolds, fans and pundits alike will be keeping a close eye on developments. Will Rodri swap the blue of Manchester for the white of Madrid? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – this story is far from over.
