Real Madrid Eyes Rodri Following Spain's World Cup Success
WHO:
beIN SPORTS - Journalist David Ornstein reported that Real Madrid believes Rodri could join the club before the start of the new season.
Sports Illustrated - Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race for Rodri.
Sports Illustrated - Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race for Manchester City’s Rodri.
beIN SPORTS - Rodri, the captain of Spain's national football team.
OneFootball - Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid.
WHAT:
OneFootball - Real Madrid is internally reconsidering the signing of Rodri following his remarkable 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Sports Illustrated - Rodri has a contract extension offer on the table at Manchester City but is weighing his next move.
Sports Illustrated - Rodri won the World Cup Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Sports Illustrated - Manchester City would prefer to lose Rodri on a free transfer in a year rather than sell him this summer.
OneFootball - Rodri captained Spain to a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Final.
OneFootball - Rodri was named the FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament.
OneFootball - Real Madrid is reconsidering signing Rodri, who is 30 years old, after his World Cup performance.
OneFootball - Manchester City signed Rodri from Atletico Madrid in July 2019 for a then-club record fee of £62.8 million.
WHERE:
OneFootball - The FIFA World Cup Final took place in New York.
WHEN:
The New York Times - Manchester City will begin their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth on August 23.
OneFootball - Rodri's current contract with Manchester City runs until the end of the 2026/27 season.
OneFootball - The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was announced in 2024.
WHY:
The New York Times - Rodri is keen to move to Real Madrid, as indicated by his interest in the club.
Sports Illustrated - Rodri may feel the time is right to move on following the end of the Pep Guardiola era at Manchester City.
Sports Illustrated - Real Madrid is searching for a midfield controller to succeed Toni Kroos.
beIN SPORTS - Confidence within Real Madrid has reportedly grown after Rodri's World Cup campaign.
OneFootball - Manchester City is making efforts to keep Rodri at the club, including presenting a significant financial offer to renew his contract.
HOW:
The New York Times - Manchester City is targeting midfielders in anticipation of the possibility that Rodri could leave.
Sports Illustrated - Barcelona has contacted Rodri's representatives after Frenkie de Jong returned from the World Cup with torn knee ligaments.
OneFootball - Real Madrid has not yet begun formal negotiations with Manchester City regarding Rodri.
(UPDATED July 27, 2026 08:07 UTC)
Real Madrid is considering signing Rodri before the start of the new season, especially after his impressive performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have also shown interest in the midfielder. Rodri currently has a contract extension offer from Manchester City but is contemplating his next steps, as he is eager to join Real Madrid. In preparation for the potential departure of Rodri, Manchester City is actively looking to acquire new midfielders ahead of their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 23.
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(UPDATED July 27, 2026 01:29 UTC)
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both in the running to acquire Manchester City's Rodri, who recently won the World Cup Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Manchester City would rather let Rodri leave on a free transfer next year than sell him this summer, especially as he may be considering a move following the end of the Pep Guardiola era. Meanwhile, Barcelona has reached out to Rodri's representatives after Frenkie de Jong suffered a torn knee ligament upon returning from the World Cup.
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(UPDATED July 26, 2026 19:26 UTC)
Rodri, the captain of Spain's national football team, led his country to a thrilling 1-0 victory over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Final held in New York, earning him the title of FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament. Following his impressive performance, confidence within Real Madrid has reportedly grown, prompting the club to reconsider signing the 30-year-old midfielder, although formal negotiations with Manchester City have yet to begin. Meanwhile, Manchester City is actively working to retain Rodri, who is under contract until the end of the 2026/27 season, by presenting a significant financial offer for a renewal.