Manchester City will accelerate contract talks with Rodri after the closure of the summer transfer window, hoping to sort a new deal before January, TBR Football understand.
City added midfielders Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki to their squad this summer, but lost Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne, so tying down Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to a new deal has been identified as a top priority.
Hugo Viana is leading the talks having replaced Sporting Director Txiki Begiristain this summer. Viana is overseeing City’s rebuild which saw key players like Ederson depart and new faces brought in including Gianluigi Donnarumma.
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Rodri poses for a photo with his Ballon d'Or award prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham.
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
TBR Football understand that Rodri’s new deal is a priority for Viana in the months between the summer and January transfer windows.
Hugo Viana to accelerate Rodri contract talks with high hopes over breakthrough before January transfer window
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey reports that talks over Rodri’s contract have been underway for some time, with hopes high that a breakthrough can be reached in the coming weeks.
Rodri’s current deal runs until 2027, with Real Madrid linked with a possible approach for the Spain international, led by Spanish media.
Hugo Viana, Sporting Director for Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off xxx Leg Training And Press Conference at Manchester City Football Academy
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Bailey said: “Talks with Rodri over a new deal have actually been ongoing for nearly 12-months but the plan was always to accelerate them after this international break as Hugo Viana approached his first out of window spell as City chief.
“Real Madrid have long been linked, but we are told that City and Rodri are confident that an agreement will soon be finalised and the club don’t see a real issue in tying him down to fresh terms.”
Rico Lewis also close to new Man City contract as terms nearly agreed for Rodri deal
As well as Rodri, TBR Football understand that contract talks with Rico Lewis are ‘all but finalised’. An agreement is also close with Rodri over his new contract.
Rodri record at Manchester City (Source: Transfermarkt)
Games – 267
Goals – 26
Assists – 32
Games won – 195 (73%)
Major trophies – 11
Individual trophies – Ballon d’Or 2024, Champions League Player of the Season 2022/23
Bailey continued: “A new deal for Rico Lewis’s is all but finalised and the club are looking to tie down Rodri in the coming months.
“As the Ballon d’Or holder – initial talks have already seen terms all but confirmed as Rodri is set to become one of City’s highest paid players.
“City do not envisage any issues with Rodri and a new deal. Talks have been ongoing and the player has shown a willingness to engage and terms are not far away. They are now ongoing but the expectation is that this will be finalised before January.”