Rodri of Manchester City
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
According to journalist Sergio Valentin, Rodri’s move to Real Madrid is entering its final stages.
After weeks of negotiations, the Spanish international has agreed personal terms with the club, and the remaining obstacle is Manchester City’s search for a replacement before approving the transfer.
According to the Spanish journalist, Rodri has made his intentions clear from the beginning.
Despite interest from clubs including Barcelona, PSG, and Bayern Munich, the midfielder has decided that if he leaves Manchester City this summer, it will only be to join Real Madrid.
The player’s determination has significantly simplified negotiations, with Los Blancos now understood to have reached an agreement on personal terms through his representatives.
If completed, Rodri is expected to sign a four-year contract, keeping him at the Santiago Bernabeu until after the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Rodri of Manchester City
Move imminent. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
The report claims Jose Mourinho played a key role in changing the course of the negotiations.
Following the Portuguese manager’s arrival, Real Madrid accelerated their pursuit of Rodri, identifying him as the ideal midfielder to lead the club’s next sporting project.
The transfer now depends on Manchester City’s ability to sign a successor. Their preferred replacement is Ayyoub Bouaddi, the highly rated Moroccan midfielder from Lille who impressed during the 2026 World Cup.
Manager Enzo Maresca sees the youngster as the long-term successor to Rodri in City’s midfield.
The Premier League champions are unwilling to sanction Rodri’s departure until Bouaddi’s arrival is secured.
Manchester City are said to have encouraged interest from other clubs, including Barcelona, in an attempt to create competition for Rodri’s signature. However, that strategy failed.
Rodri of Spain
Not swayed by Barcelona interest. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Rodri has no intention of considering any destination other than Real Madrid, effectively removing Barcelona from the race before formal negotiations could develop.
With the player’s side of the deal settled, attention has shifted to the transfer fee.
According to the journalist, Real Madrid expect the final agreement to fall between €65 million and €75 million, a figure the club are prepared to pay for one of Europe’s premier midfielders.
Confidence is increasing inside Valdebebas. Real Madrid believe the agreement with Rodri is complete, the player remains fully committed to joining only the Spanish giants, and Manchester City are actively working to sign Bouaddi.
Should that final piece fall into place over the coming days, Rodri will be on the verge of becoming Real Madrid’s newest signing.
Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
It has been evident for quite some time now that Real Madrid want to loan Franco Mastantuono to aid his development in the upcoming season.
The 18-year-old was signed from River Plate at the beginning of last season, and he faded away after a bright start under Xabi Alonso.
Mastantuono seemed keen on returning to the Argentine club on loan earlier this summer.
Real Madrid respected the emotional appeal of returning to his former club, but did not believe another year in Argentina represented the best sporting step.
Now, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Los Blancos have rejected an approach from Saudi Arabia for Mastantuono.
It is quite evident why Madrid quickly rejected the offer, further doubling down on their desire to keep him in a competitive environment.
Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid
Real Madrid reject Saudi Arabia approach. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Mastantuono has attracted interest from several clubs, while a possible loan remains under consideration because of the intense competition for places in Jose Mourinho’s squad.
However, Madrid want his temporary destination to accelerate his European adaptation, not put the brakes on it.
Saudi Arabia was therefore always likely to receive the same answer. This is important because a loan must serve a clear purpose.
Real Madrid are not trying to move Mastantuono out simply to reduce the size of the squad. They are trying to put him in a place where he can get guaranteed regular game time at the highest level.
Playing in Italy, where Fiorentina are pushing hard to sign him, or another major European league would allow him to continue adjusting to the speed, tactical demands and pressure he will face at Real Madrid.
Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid
Italy the likely destination for Mastantuono. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
A lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia may have financial appeal, but money is not the priority with a player the club consider one of their major long-term investments.
In hindsight, it does feel like Real Madrid made the decision to sign Mastantuono a tad earlier than he was ready for European football.
However, there is no doubt that he is one of the most talented young Argentine players coming through, and he could be ready after a loan spell or two.
What Los Blancos need to ensure this summer is that whichever club the teenager moves to has to make him a key part of their plans this upcoming season.
Real Madrid did this very successfully with Endrick and Olympique Lyon for the second half of last season, and that is exactly what Mastantuono needs.
Having been left out of the squad for the friendly against Fiorentina, it is clear that Mastantuono’s immediate future lies somewhere else.
It remains to be seen which club eventually gets the nod to sign the 18-year-old on loan and how he develops during the loan spell.