Real Madrid have been linked with a move for a talented Manchester City starplaceholder image
Real Madrid have been linked with a move for a talented Manchester City star | Getty Images
Manchester City could look to trim their squad before the start of the new season
Manchester City’s redemption mission begins on Saturday 16 August when they travel to Wolves on the opening day of the 2025/26 season. The Sky Blues finished third in the table last year and are desperate to dethrone Liverpool after a forgettable campaign which saw them finish 13 points behind the eventual champions last term. Pep Guardiola’s side had dominated English football in the decade prior to Liverpool’s title triumph, winning six league titles between 2016 and 2024, including a record-breaking four in a row in the period leading up to last season.
Central to that success was Spanish midfielder Rodri, a £62.6m signing from Atletico Madrid, who has been named in the Team of the Season twice while also winning the Champions League Player of the Tournament in 2022/23 and even more notably the Ballon d’Or in 2024, becoming the first Premier League player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 to achieve the feat.
Rodri missed large chunks of last season with an ACL injury but is expected to be a pivotal player once again this term. However, he faces an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium with recent reports linking him with a shock move to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid plot move for Rodri
Rodri is under contract until 2027 and is expected to be offered a fresh extension which will take him until the summer of 2029 in the coming months. He’s expected to become one of City’s highest earners alongside Erling Haaland if he accepts the offer. However, Spanish outlet AS claims the former Atletico Madrid man has not yet decided his next step - opening the door to a potential transfer away from the club.
AS explains that Real Madrid are in the market for a defensive midfielder to help them regain their status as the dominant force in both Spanish and European football. New boss Xabi Alonso is reported to be a huge fan of Rodri and believes the 29-year-old has the qualities to elevate his team to new heights. This is believed to have set alarm bells ringing in the City camp as they are desperately trying to tie their midfield lynchpin down to a new deal as soon as possible.
Rodri is expected to miss the opening few games of the season with a groin injury and is not expected to return until at the very earliest mid September after the first international break. “He has trained better in the last few days. Hopefully after the international break, he will be really fit,” confirmed Pep Guardiola.
Everton ramp up attempts to sign Jack Grealish
Premier League side Everton are expected to up the ante on their pursuit of £100m Manchester City winger Jack Grealish. It’s understood by The Times that the former Aston Villa captain is now one of David Moyes’ top targets after numerous failed attempts to land Southampton prodigy Tyler Dibling.
Grealish struggled for game time last season and was not included in Pep Guardiola’s squad at all for the Club World Cup over the summer. He’s thought to be earning a salary of around £300,000 per week which has deterred other clubs from making an offer so far. However, Everton are thought to be open to covering most of his salary as they look to sign the 39-time England international on a season long loan deal. Everton believe the player is keen on a move to Merseyside at this time, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
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