“I can’t turn down the best club in the world,” Manchester City midfielder Rodri admitted when asked about a possible future move to Real Madrid.
Spanish radio station Onda Cerro interviewed the Spanish international and asked him about his future at City, where his current contract expires in the summer of 2027.
Sky Sports News understands that Rodri is a player City would like to keep and agree to a new contract.
However, when asked about his future, the player said: “I have one year left on my contract. There will come a time when we have to sit down and talk.”
Asked about reports that Real president Florentino Perez wants Rodri to stay at the club, the midfielder said: “I don’t know. They haven’t talked to me about it. They’re talking to my agent.”
Rodri joined City from Real’s rivals Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has since established himself as one of the top midfielders in world football.
He has admitted that he would like to return to La Liga someday and did not rule out the possibility of playing for Real just because he previously played for rivals Atlético.
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“There are other players who have gone down that path,” he added. “Not directly, but over time. You can’t turn down the best club in the world.
“I want to go back (to La Liga), yes, of course. For me, La Liga is the starting point. I’m still chasing it, although not as much as before. But now I’m very happy here (in the Premier League).”
“I have one year left on my contract[with City]but there will come a time when we have to sit down and talk and have a discussion.”
City did not comment on Rodri’s interview. This interview was conducted ahead of the friendly matches between Serbia and Egypt over the next two weeks.
Rodri has made 293 appearances for City so far, scoring 28 goals and providing 32 assists. During his seven-year stay at the Etihad, City won the Premier League four times, the FA Cup once, the League Cup three times, the Club World Cup once and the Champions League.
“Real Madrid are targeting a midfielder, but it may not be Rodri.”
Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News:
“What Man City are trying to do is talk to his agent and get him to agree to sign a new contract.
“He’s a hugely important player for Man City, one of the best midfielders Man City has ever had and one of the best midfielders we’ve ever played in this country.
“We have to remember that he had a serious knee injury and is currently recovering. That is one of the reasons why there have not been detailed discussions about a contract extension.”
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Manchester City midfielder Rodri has cast doubt on his long-term future at the club after telling Spanish radio station Onda Cerro that he could one day return to La Liga and potentially move to Real Madrid.
“It’s interesting what he had to say. It would be easy for him to say he’s on international duty and doesn’t want to talk about the future of the club.
“He said what many players would say in private: when a big club like Real Madrid comes to sign you, it’s very difficult to say no.
“We have to have perspective. Just because Real Madrid wants a player doesn’t mean they can get him.
“I know they are interested in signing a new midfielder this summer and I’m sure Rodri is one of the players they’re keeping an eye on. They’ve also been rumored to have Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo from Chelsea.”
“They’ll have a lot of options. If I were a Man City fan I wouldn’t be so worried. I think Man City certainly want to keep him and quietly they’re probably pretty confident of getting him a new contract.”
City eyeing ‘top class’ midfielder this summer
Sky Sports News reported on Wednesday that City are considering several top-class central midfielders for the summer, but would need to make moves in that area of their current squad to bring in other players.
City are eyeing the likes of Elliott Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleva as they prepare for the next transfer window.
However, Rodri is not someone City want to sell, he has arguably been City’s best player for almost seven years, and the future of players like Mateo Kovacic is likely to be on the table when assessing the current squad.
Manager Josep Guardiola, who also has one year left on his contract until 2027, has always insisted that if players come to him wanting to leave the Etihad, he will not stand in their way.
