Manchester City midfielder Rodri is currently “negotiating” over his future at the Etihad Stadium, according to his father addressing reporters in Spain this week.
The 29-year-old remains one of the most influential figures in Pep Guardiola’s squad, and any uncertainty surrounding his long-term future is certain to attract widespread attention across European football.
With Rodri entering the latter stages of his current deal, Manchester City are unsurprisingly keen to secure clarity sooner rather than later, particularly given his importance to their domestic and continental ambitions.
Speculation has intensified in recent months amid reported interest from Spain, with Rodri long viewed as a natural fit for clubs seeking to dominate midfield control. While City have consistently maintained their desire to retain the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, the absence of a completed extension has inevitably fuelled debate.
For now, Rodri himself has remained focused on his performances on the pitch, playing a key role as City continue to compete on multiple fronts. Behind the scenes, however, developments appear to be ongoing.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening, Rodri’s father Antonio Hernández – who was picking up a national award on his son’s behalf in Madrid – was asked about the Spanish midfielder’s future in the game, with his contract at Manchester City running until 2027.
“If I said something I would have to kill you. I can’t say anything,” Hernández admitted, as translated and relayed by ESPN.
“He’s very comfortable where he is. It’s possible he [Rodri] doesn’t know it [where he will play] yet. He is negotiating. But I know nothing. History has yet to be written.”
It remains unknown at this stage whether Rodri’s father was referring to a negotiation over a new Manchester City contract, or with another club, although the former is the more likely of the two scenarios.
Reflecting on Rodri’s return to action following a serious knee injury in 2024, his father said, “It’s been tough because for a Ballon d’Or winner, suddenly stopping, then having to readjust yourself a year later and saying I want to be the same again is difficult.
“This year has been very tough, but he has recovered well from not playing for a year. There’s always some muscle issue. But he’s incredibly eager to go to the World Cup. He’s training really well, and you only have to look at him to see it.
“He came back to playing and in his first match he was almost the same Rodri he used to be, so the confidence we, as a family, have in him is absolute. Now we’re asking him to manage his efforts a bit to get back into form and be ready for the World Cup.”
Rodri’s recovery and gradual return to peak condition has been closely monitored by Manchester City’s medical staff, with Pep Guardiola carefully managing his minutes to ensure long-term fitness.
His importance to the side was evident almost immediately upon his return, reinforcing just how integral he remains to Manchester City’s tactical structure, and Rodri has been a mainstay in the starting line-ups of late following the turn of the year in particular.
While links to a potential return to Spain continue to surface, any future decision is likely to depend on a combination of physical condition and Manchester City’s own long-term plans, with Rodri’s focus firmly fixed on the present and the chase of further silverware.