Rodri’s Dream Move to Real Madrid Reportedly Depends on Manchester City Completing an £85 Million Midfield Replacement!
Manchester City could reportedly open the door for Rodri to join Real Madrid—but only if the club first secures Ayyoub Bouaddi or another suitable midfield replacement.
City’s preferred outcome remains keeping Rodri for the 2026–27 campaign, even if the 30-year-old does not sign a contract extension this summer.
That position reflects the midfielder’s importance to Enzo Maresca’s squad. Allowing him to leave without sufficient cover could create a major weakness before the new season begins.
The calculation would change if Bouaddi arrived from Lille.
Manchester City have reportedly identified the Morocco international as a potential long-term successor in the defensive midfield position. Previous reports suggest the clubs have been discussing a transfer worth approximately £85 million, while City are believed to have agreed terms on a five-year contract with the player.
Bouaddi’s possible arrival and Rodri’s future are therefore increasingly connected.
Completing the Lille deal would provide Maresca with another high-level midfield option and allow City to negotiate with Real Madrid from a position of strength. Without that replacement, selling Rodri would risk leaving the squad dangerously exposed.
Real Madrid reportedly remain confident about signing the Spanish midfielder.
Rodri is understood to have reached a personal agreement with the club and communicated his desire to move to Madrid to people close to him. However, personal preference cannot complete a transfer without Manchester City’s approval.
The largest obstacle remains the valuation.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reported that City consider Rodri worth “significantly more” than the €50 million figure previously linked with Real Madrid’s interest.
Reports from Spain have placed Manchester City’s asking price at approximately €80 million. Real Madrid, meanwhile, are believed to be unwilling to offer more than around €60 million.
That leaves a substantial gap between the clubs.
City do not appear willing to reduce their demands simply because Rodri may be approaching the final year of his contract. The club would reportedly rather keep him for another season than accept a fee it considers inadequate.
That stance carries risk.
If Rodri stays without signing an extension, Manchester City could eventually lose him without receiving the type of transfer fee currently available. However, another season from one of the world’s leading defensive midfielders may be considered more valuable than accepting a heavily discounted offer.
Real Madrid face their own difficult decision.
They can increase their bid to test City’s resolve, wait in the hope that contractual pressure softens the English club’s position, or risk allowing another suitor to enter the discussion.
The outcome may depend on director of football Hugo Viana’s ability to coordinate two complicated negotiations.
City must attempt to complete Bouaddi’s transfer without allowing Lille to exploit the club’s urgency. At the same time, they must prevent Madrid from using Rodri’s reported desire to leave as leverage for a lower price.
The order of events could become decisive.
Signing Bouaddi first would secure City’s midfield future but might signal to Madrid that Rodri is available. Selling Rodri before completing a replacement could provide funding but weaken City’s bargaining position with Lille.
Conducting both negotiations simultaneously may be the most practical solution, although it also creates greater complexity.
For supporters, the possibility of Rodri’s departure is deeply unsettling.
He has become one of City’s most important players, providing control, defensive security and intelligence in the center of the pitch. Replacing his influence would require more than signing another talented midfielder.
Bouaddi may possess the potential to inherit the role, but arriving with a substantial fee would bring enormous expectations.
For now, no final agreement has been announced, and City’s position remains firm.
Rodri may want Real Madrid, but Manchester City still control his immediate future. Unless Bouaddi arrives and Madrid meet the club’s valuation, the Etihad door is unlikely to open.
