“Real Madrid Wants to Sign Manchester City’s Rodri as Their Top Midfield Priority to Replace Luka Modric and Strengthen Spanish Core”

Real Madrid Wants to Sign Rodri

Real Madrid are preparing to make a major midfield acquisition this summer, with Manchester City’s Rodri emerging as their top priority. The Spanish giants have set their sights on the 28-year-old defensive midfielder, who they believe could be the long-term heir to Luka Modric, whose era at the Bernabéu is drawing to a close.

According to a report from Diario AS, Rodri is not just one of the many names on Real Madrid’s shortlist—he is the primary target. The report claims that Los Blancos will pursue Rodri “regardless of the price,” indicating that Florentino Pérez and his board are ready to break the bank for the Manchester City star.

Despite suffering a significant ACL injury earlier in the season, Rodri has since recovered and is back in action. Interestingly, he could feature against Real Madrid at next month’s FIFA Club World Cup, giving the Spanish club another chance to assess him up close before they make their move official.

Real Madrid are in the process of constructing a new core of Spanish talents. Having recently brought in defender Dean Huijsen, the club sees Rodri as the next piece of the puzzle. A Spain international with extensive Champions League and Premier League experience, Rodri’s leadership and tactical intelligence are considered vital attributes for Real’s next generation.

Rodri, who remains under contract at Manchester City until 2027, is regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in the world. His composure on the ball, positional awareness, and knack for breaking up play make him an ideal candidate to anchor Real Madrid’s midfield for years to come. The club has reportedly made inquiries to City and is expected to open formal negotiations shortly after the Club World Cup.

While Rodri tops Madrid’s wish list, he is not the only name linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabéu. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller have also emerged as potential reinforcements in midfield. However, both Enzo and Rodri fall into the more expensive category, while Stiller represents a budget-friendly alternative.

What’s clear is that Real Madrid are not limiting themselves to one plan. With Toni Kroos already departed and Luka Modric nearing the end of his glittering career, the club knows it needs not just one, but potentially two or three midfield reinforcements to ensure continuity and competitiveness at the highest level.

Interestingly, Madrid had previously been linked with Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi, but the latest reports suggest that the club is instead focusing on Rodri, Fernandez, and even Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister as more viable targets. Each brings a different skillset to the table, but Rodri’s status as a Spanish player and his proven pedigree in a Guardiola system make him the frontrunner.

Some fans, however, are skeptical about the move. Critics have pointed to Rodri’s past affiliation with Atlético Madrid, Real’s city rivals, as a potential issue. One fan wrote, “The fact that he played for Atlético alone makes him an outcast in Madrid.” Others argue that less-hyped talents like Ruis Fabian of PSG or Angelo Stiller would be smarter investments.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid’s sporting leadership appears undeterred. The club believes Rodri has matured far beyond his Atlético days and now represents the perfect blend of experience and national identity that they are striving for.

Whether Manchester City will be willing to part ways with one of their most important players remains to be seen. Pep Guardiola has repeatedly praised Rodri as the “brain” of his team, and City would surely demand a record-breaking fee for the Spaniard’s services.

Still, Real Madrid have a long-standing history of getting what they want—especially when it comes to marquee signings. If Rodri does indeed make the switch to Madrid this summer, it will not only mark one of the biggest transfers of the window but also signal a new era in the heart of the club’s midfield.