Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has fuelled speculation over his future at the Etihad Stadium after publicly refusing to rule out a move to Real Madrid, stating that no player can turn down interest from the world’s biggest clubs.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner made the comments during an interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero on Wednesday while on international duty with the Spanish national team, setting off a fresh wave of transfer speculation less than 24 hours before City face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

What Rodri said

Asked about the transfer rumours linking him to Los Blancos, Rodri confirmed that his contract situation will need to be addressed soon. “I have one year left on my contract; there will come a point when we’ll have to sit down and talk,” he said. “You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.”

He also dismissed any notion that his history with Atletico Madrid — Real Madrid’s bitter city rivals — would prevent him from making the switch. “The fact that I played for Atlético Madrid does not stop me from playing for Real Madrid,” he added.

In separate comments, Rodri described the Premier League as his “weakness” and said the relentless demands of English football had taken a mental and physical toll. “It was good for me to rest, to slow down… Mentally, there was a lot of wear and tear. It has allowed me to recharge my batteries and come back with tremendous enthusiasm,” he said, referring to his recovery from a serious knee injury that kept him sidelined for much of the past 18 months.

City’s contract delay

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Rodri himself will make the final call on his future. “Rodri is out of contract in 2027, and in the summer he will face a big decision, whether he wants to stay at Manchester City and consider signing a new contract, or maybe consider the possibility of trying a new chapter,” Romano said. “For sure, Rodri has fans internally at Real Madrid. He has people in Real Madrid’s management appreciating him.”

Manchester City are said to be open to selling Rodri rather than risk losing him for free at the end of his contract in June 2027. Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon reported that the Ballon d’Or winner carries a €50 million price tag, with City prepared to accept a fee to fund a replacement.

Real Madrid’s interest

Real Madrid have been searching for a controlling defensive midfielder since the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, and their attempts to sign Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi last summer failed. Rodri has since emerged as their primary target to fill the role.

Pep Guardiola is said to be willing to sanction the sale if Rodri decides he wants to leave, with City already planning to bring in a high-profile midfielder to replace him in the summer window.

Rodri’s return to form

Rodri has been working his way back to peak fitness after a cruciate ligament injury that derailed his previous season and the start of the current campaign. He played a key role in City’s Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal and believes the enforced break may have worked in his favour ahead of a World Cup year. “This season I don’t have as many minutes on the pitch, and I’m coming back much fresher,” he said. “I feel like I’m back to being the Rodri we all want.”

Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has since become the spine of the most successful City side in the club’s history, winning four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, including scoring the winning goal in the 2023 final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. He was crowned Ballon d’Or winner in November 2024, becoming the first City player to win the award.

City and Real Madrid face each other in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg on Wednesday night. RNN.NG will update this story following the outcome of that fixture and any further developments on the transfer front.