Real Madrid Eyes Manchester City Star Rodri for 2025 Transfer
In an exciting development for football fans, Spanish newspaper AS reports that Real Madrid is planning a significant move for Manchester City’s star midfielder Rodri in the summer of 2025. The news, which comes from anonymous sources within the industry, suggests that Real Madrid’s pursuit of Rodri is part of a broader strategy to bolster their squad with top-tier talent.
Rodri, who has been instrumental for Manchester City, is a key target for Real Madrid as they look to strengthen their midfield. The Spanish international will have two years remaining on his contract by the time the summer transfer window opens in 2025. While Manchester City has made efforts to secure a contract extension for Rodri, these attempts have so far been unsuccessful. This leaves the possibility open for Rodri to seek new challenges, with Real Madrid emerging as a strong contender for his signature.
Real Madrid’s transfer strategy for the 2024/2025 season includes other high-profile targets alongside Rodri. Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, a highly sought-after left back, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, a talented attacking midfielder, are also on their radar. Real Madrid’s interest in Davies is particularly notable, as the Canadian will become a free agent after June 30, 2025. This aligns with Real Madrid’s approach to securing top talent on free transfers, similar to their acquisition of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.
However, the situation with Wirtz is different. Bayer Leverkusen has set a steep asking price of approximately €150 million ($163.4 million) for the young midfielder, as confirmed by the club’s chief executive Fernando Carro. This reflects Wirtz’s status as one of the most coveted players in German football.
Rodri’s potential move to Real Madrid is not expected to be as costly as Wirtz, but it will still involve a significant financial outlay. The decision for Rodri will ultimately come down to whether he prefers to extend his stay at Manchester City or embrace a new chapter at the Bernabeu. Notably, Real Madrid has faced Manchester City in several high-stakes Champions League knockout rounds, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this potential transfer.
Furthermore, Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, a fellow Spaniard and former Atletico Madrid player, has reportedly expressed his desire to bring Rodri to his hometown club. With the retirement of Toni Kroos, Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti is in search of a player who can control the tempo of the game from midfield. Rodri, known for his exceptional ability to dictate play and his commanding presence, fits this role perfectly.
This anticipated move underscores Real Madrid’s commitment to remaining at the pinnacle of European football and their strategic focus on acquiring world-class talent to sustain their competitive edge.Real Madrid’s reported interest in Manchester City’s star midfielder Rodri for the summer of 2025 signals a significant step in their strategy to strengthen their squad with elite talent. According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid sees Rodri as a key target to reinforce their midfield following the potential retirement of Toni Kroos and to maintain their dominance in European football.
Rodri has been pivotal for Manchester City, contributing both defensively and offensively from a deep-lying midfield position. With two years left on his contract by the summer of 2025, Manchester City’s ongoing efforts to secure a contract extension have yet to yield results. This uncertainty opens the door for Real Madrid to lure the Spanish international back to his home country.
Rodri is not the only top-tier talent Real Madrid is targeting. They are also eyeing Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, a dynamic left-back set to become a free agent after June 30, 2025, aligning with Madrid’s recent strategy of securing top players on free transfers. In addition, Real Madrid is interested in Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, one of the most promising attacking midfielders in Europe. However, Wirtz’s potential transfer could prove to be costly, with Leverkusen reportedly setting a high price of around €150 million.
If Rodri decides to join Real Madrid, the move could add an intriguing layer to the rivalry between Madrid and Manchester City, particularly after their recent encounters in the Champions League. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti would be keen to integrate a player of Rodri’s caliber, especially to fill the void left by Kroos. His experience and ability to control the game’s tempo would make him an ideal candidate for Madrid’s midfield.
Dani Carvajal, Rodri’s compatriot and a former Atletico Madrid player, has also voiced his desire to see Rodri at Real Madrid, adding a personal touch to the transfer speculation. This potential transfer is part of Real Madrid’s broader strategy to stay at the forefront of European football by assembling a team brimming with world-class talent.