Manchester City have reportedly made a contract offer to Rodri, who has two years left on his deal, in a bid to fend off interest from Real Madrid.
City will take on Palermo on Saturday in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Boss Pep Guardiola will hope that his summer additions will be enough to reclaim their crown from Liverpool, but Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has suffered an injury setback that will keep him out until September.
The Spanish midfielder missed the majority of last season due to an ACL injury, and his presence in the middle of the pitch was sorely missed.
Guardiola could face the prospect of losing Rodri to Real Madrid this summer according to AS, who claim that Los Blancos have made him their priority midfield target, though they add that a contract offer that would extend his stay at the Etihad until 2029 is on the table.
Manchester City's Rodri on July 1, 2025
Would Rodri make sense for Real Madrid?
At his best, Rodri is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world, with his ability to dictate the tempo of matches setting him apart from his peers.
The 29-year-old is also a threat in the final third, and the Spaniard even scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Rodri's calmness on the ball could be of benefit to Real manager Xabi Alonso given his team are still yet to truly replace midfield conductor Toni Kroos since his retirement in 2024.
The Spanish giants have been vulnerable to counter-attacks at times in recent seasons, and retaining possession may limit the number of shots that they face.
Manchester City's Rodri on June 18, 2025
Should Pep Guardiola consider selling Rodri?
While the sale of Rodri would leave Guardiola needing to find a suitable replacement, there are concerns that the midfielder could be past his best.
After suffering a serious knee injury last term, it would not be surprising if it took the Spaniard some time to get back to his previous level.
Given many players tend to regress as they enter their thirties, the 29-year-old may struggle to have the same impact on the pitch once he fully recovers.
Since Guardiola is likely to leave England upon the expiry of his contract in 2027, the City boss will want to make the most of his remaining time at the Etihad, so perhaps he will opt to keep Rodri for the rest of his tenure.
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