Real Madrid have reportedly been offered the chance to bring Manchester City midfielder Rodri to the Estadio Bernabeu this summer. The Spanish midfielder has previously been linked with Los Blancos and has just over a year left on his contract.
Rodri has endured injury issues in recent years that have plagued him and taken an obvious toll this season. He hasn't been at his best and several displays have been a concern for City who are struggling to keep pace with Arsenal in the title race.
Madrid are expected to overhaul their midfield this summer and could view Rodri as an ideal option for the holding midfield role. He is still regarded as one of the best in Europe but Pep Guardiola is prepared to sacrifice the 29-year-old.
Man City willing to swap Rodri for Real Madrid duo
That's according to Football365 who relay reports in Spain which claim Guardiola "accepts" Rodri will leave for Madrid this summer. He is prepared to let him go and the Spaniard would be delighted to return to La Liga.
Rodri has appeared 17 times across competitions this season posting one goal. He controversially beat Vinicius Junior to the Ballon d'Or in 2024 but hasn't been the same player since sustaining an ACL injury in the 2024-25 campaign.
Madrid are prepared to move for the former Villarreal man but aren't intending to pay a big fee. Its claimed that a swap deal could be on the cards which sees two Los Blancos stars move in the opposite direction.
Guardiola and City are thought to like Rodrygo "a lot" and the Premier League club's manager would be "delighted" to have the Brazilian winger in his squad. He's not the only one seemingly the Cityzens have in mind.
City are also admirers of Federico Valverde and feel he'd be a good replacement for Rodri. The Uruguayan midfielder could head to the Bernabeu and become a long-term solution.
Real Madrid surely would find this laughable
There's no doubt that Rodri is among the best defensive midfielders in football history and he has been one of Guardiola's most important players during City's era of dominance in England. But his best years are behind him and he's entering his thirties.
What's even more ridiculous about this swap proposal is that he would have a year left on his deal. Rodrygo is still only 25 and has yet to reach his peak while he has just over two years on his contract.
Valverde is 27 and his versatility has been crucial this season and he is tied to Madrid until 2029. Why on earth would the club consider sending either or the pair in the opposite direction given these factors?
Valverde and Rodrygo are key men at the Bernabeu and using them in a swap deal for a player who is past his best is nonsensical.