Real Madrid are interested in signing Rodri. The Champions League winners didn't make any effort in 2024, because the Spanish midfielder is linked with a 2025 transfer instead. However, Man City understandably do not want this to happen.
Rodri is an important player to Man City. Their record when Rodri starts versus when he doesn't start shows a simple conclusion: Man City are a much better team with Rodri in the team.
In fact, Man City didn't lose an entire game in the 2023/24 season, whereby Rodri was involved in the starting lineup (StatMuse). Last season, Man City lost just three league matches, all of them were without Rodri.
As such, Man City have made a crucial decision which could deter Real Madrid.
Man City make crucial Rodri decision amid Real Madrid transfer interest
According to a report from Give Me Sport, Man City would like to offer a pay-rise to Rodri, which would come with a contract extension, essentially keeping Real Madrid away for longer.
As things stand, Rodri earns £220,000 per week at Man City. He is the seventh highest earner at Man City, with Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland earning more than him.
As much as it would be nice to say players play solely for passion, this is known to not be the case. Particularly in the modern era of football, money is certainly a driving factor.
Therefore, if Real Madrid want to sign Rodri, one of the best midfielders in the world, they must pull their wallet out. Thankfully, Real Madrid are known to be a rich club, the first club in history to exceed €1 billion in revenue.
In hindsight, Real Madrid would be fortunate to have Rodri in their ranks now. They opted not to sign a midfielder in the summer transfer window, despite Toni Kroos retiring from the game. Now, they have injuries to Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos to contend with in midfield.
Rodri is just 28 years old, so he is playing at the peak of his powers. 2025 would be a great time to secure Rodri, who has plenty of experience under his belt and showing the infuence to impact even the biggest games.
Florentino Perez certainly likes big-game mentalities in his signings and it helps that Rodri has experience of playing in Madrid, just in the wrong colours.