Rodri
Rodri shows off his Ballon d'Or trophy at Manchester City
The fact Real Madrid reportedly want Rodri shouldn't come as a surprise. One of the world's best midfielders, and a Spanish international to boot, it would be a surprise if there weren't covetous glances coming from the Bernabeu.
With Martin Zubimendi seemingly poised to opt for a move to Arsenal rather than Real, it would make sense for Real to consider Rodri as a potential alternative as they look to revamp their midfield. According to Madrid-based daily AS, that is what is happening.
The newspaper reports that Real are following the Ballon d'Or winner's contract situation closely, which should certainly set alarm bells ringing at the Etihad. Real have become the masters at signing players at the end of their contracts, as Trent Alexander-Arnold's unveiling this week reminded everyone.
Rodri's current Manchester City contract expires in two years, and now is the point when renewals are usually agreed upon. City only need to ask their Liverpool counterparts how costly the delay in trying Alexander-Arnold has proven to be.
According to those reports, Real could strike next summer if it reaches the point where the 28-year-old has just a year left on his contract, although City will be determined to avoid that and ensure a new deal is agreed quickly.
Those friendly papers in Madrid have often done Real's bidding and there is rarely smoke without fire, just as it felt like no real surprise that Rodri was asked about a potential move to Madrid back in November, just after he had sent the same club into a funk after beating Vinicius Jr to the Ballon d'Or.
Cadena Ser’s El Larguero show asked Rodri about that hypothetical and got an answer that didn't rule it out, although it should perhaps be seen as contract leverage at that point.
"When Madrid, the best club in history, the most successful, call you, it is an honour and you always have to pay attention," said Rodri.
That possibility could move closer to a reality if they really begin the charm offensive in the next few months, which seems likely to happen the longer that new deal goes unsigned.
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Speaking about the contract in November, Rodri said: "I have two years left on my contract, the time is approaching to start talking again.
"The Guardiola deal is an important incentive. I feel very valued at the club. It could very well be a possibility to finish my career in England. It has given me everything and I love the football there."
It has been expected for a while that a new deal would be a formality and nothing has happened to change that view, but when the sharks start circling it becomes more of a priority.
Rodri is still working his way back to match fitness from the serious knee injury that ruled him out for most of last season. He will continue his return to action during the Club World Cup, and that stay in the United States might be an opportunity to ensure there are no ill effects and tie up a new deal.
The holding midfielder does have a history with Real, having spent his youth at Atletico and returned to play for the first team. He was also the victor at the end of last year when they threw that embarrassing Ballon d'Or strop.
But that will be water under the bridge by now, and you can be sure Real would love to snap up a former Atletico player.
So City have had their warning. This is a contract situation that can't drag on.