Rodri’s Man City future – transfer scenario, Bernardo factor, Madrid position
Rodri spoke during the international break about his interest in perhaps playing for Real Madrid one day, sparking debate over his Manchester City future.
Pep Guardiola and Rodri both have uncertain futures at Manchester City with contracts expiring in 2027
Rodri fanned the flames of a potential Manchester City transfer exit during the international break when he gave an interview in Spain about being open to the prospect of one day playing for Real Madrid.
The midfielder has 18 months to run on his current City deal and there remains a degree of uncertainty as to whether he will extend his stay at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola was asked about the situation in his press conference on Friday and reiterated the club stance is that they want the 29-year-old to commit his future to the Blues.
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The decision will come down to Rodri himself, with City never a club to stand in the way of a player who wants to leave. And it all adds up to an unknown situation that will need to be resolved soon.
So what exactly does it all mean for City and Rodri? Our City experts Simon Bajkowski and Alex James dissected the topic on the latest Talking City podcast.
“I don’t think Rodri’s comments change anything in that Real Madrid will still want him as they have wanted him for ages,” said Bajkowski. “And Rodri will be fully aware of that and will never in an interview shut the door on a return to Spain, ahead of a World Cup in the summer as well when he is going to be representing Spain.
“At the same time, he is in an uncertain position because nobody is sure whether he is going to renew at City or not.
“I think it (a scenario where he is sold in the summer) exists. They have to be open to it. Obviously Rodri doesn’t owe them anything but I think the club feel that they gave him such support first and foremost for the Ballon d’Or. They treated him like an absolute king at a time when the biggest club in the world (Real Madrid) was doing everything to denigrate it and say it wasn’t a proper Ballon d’Or. City treated Rodri royally. And also through his injury, they have helped and supported him. I feel like this season they have listened to Rodri (on his fitness).
“If he wants to go this summer he will go but if he does, the club would like to think they would get a fee that reflects the player that he is and will be next season and beyond, but also the support that they have given him over the last few years.”
The decision could also hinge on what happens with the future of Guardiola, who has a deal until the summer of 2027 but has yet to fully commit to continuing past this season, and Bernardo Silva who is set to depart when his contract expires in June.
“Losing Bernardo Silva and Rodri, and I appreciate they are not what they were and might not be again, but that would be a vacuum of talent, experience, know-how, experience and leadership,” said City writer James. “Loads of things that are very difficult to replace.
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“They would have to go and sign somebody, and they may well go and sign Elliot Anderson and they might sign someone else instead or as well, but it would be a big gamble to lose Rodri and Bernardo in the same summer.
“Rodri has started to look back to somewhere near his best. He looks back in a rhythm, is dictating play a bit more. And a lot of this will have to do with Pep, that has to be factored in and there might be an answer on that yet.”