Manchester City know they have the best holding midfielder in the world in Rodri.
In the last two years especially, it has become clear to everyone that the Spaniard is at the very top when it comes to players in the ‘number 6’ position.
Rodri dominates every game he plays. But we saw from last season that he now also chips in in the final third. In 2023/24, he scored nine goals and made 14 assists.
City are very lucky to have a player as influential as this.
He has not been able to appear yet this season after arriving back late, but fans cannot wait for him to be back in the team. Not that Manchester City have really missed him so far, with the brilliant Mateo Kovacic doing a sterling job in his absence.
Rodri still has just under three years remaining on his contract and it is thought Real Madrid are admirers of the star – and a report has now offered an update on that particular situation.
Man City want to tie Rodri down to new contract until 2029 amid Real Madrid interest
Earlier this summer, it was suggested that City intended to sit down with Rodri for talks over extending his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
But the club shelved those talks, with Rodri heading off to the Euros with Spain.
Give Me Sport now report on the situation and it sounds as though new contract talks with Rodri are back on the agenda. The club will open talks again in the coming weeks according to the publication.
It is stated that City are keen to get Rodri – who Pep Guardiola feels deserves the Balon d’Or – tied down to a new deal until 2029, which means they want to add two more years to his current. Presumably, the club will also seek to increase his pay to reflect his status as one of the club’s best players.
There is also word of Real Madrid and their interest.
City are said to be ‘fearful’ that the Spanish giants will attempt to make a move for £220,000-a-week maestro Rodri next summer. They have apparently listed him and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi – who replaced the injured Rodri in the final of Euro 2024 against England – as their top targets.
Last week, it was suggested that Real Madrid are ‘aware’ of City’s intention to extend Rodri’s deal, and Florentino Perez will do everything possible to try and sign him.
No rush over Rodri
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
It has been said a few times now this year that City are looking to extend Rodri’s contract, but there is plenty of time for this to happen.
The club are in a good position right now. Rodri’s current deal does not run out until the summer of 2027, and the player is very happy at the Etihad. And he knows he has it good where he is.
One would imagine that he will eventually agree to fresh terms at City.
Ideally, it is something that will happen before next summer, before Real Madrid have any chance to launch any charm offensive.
But even if it did not, and that did happen, Rodri does feel committed to City and is obviously adored by the fans.
