The shockwaves from José Mourinho’s imminent appointment are reverberating all the way to Manchester. While the club’s pursuit of Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand showed Mourinho’s desire for a disciplined anchor, Real Madrid hasn’t forgotten how to hunt for the biggest game on the planet.
According to a blockbuster update from transfer insider Matteo Moretto on Radio MARCA, Real Madrid has made an initial approach to explore the sensational signing of Manchester City superstar Rodri Hernández.
The Spanish international and Ballon d’Or contender is highly appreciated by Florentino Pérez and the board at Valdebebas, who view him as the ultimate centerpiece to orchestrate a new golden era.
Testing the Etihad Waters
With the news that Real Madrid has set a firm €80 million price tag on Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos is on his way out, a massive financial and structural void is opening up in Madrid’s midfield. Rodri represents the pinnacle of world-class reinforcement.
- The Contract Lever: Rodri’s current contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until June 2027. With only two years remaining on his deal this summer, Real Madrid smells a distinct market opportunity to test Manchester City’s resolve.
- The Player’s Stance: Moretto notes that Rodri has previously thought about returning to the Spanish capital—where he formerly starred for Atlético Madrid—at some point in his prime, making a move to the Bernabéu an enticing prospect.
The Twist: The Guardiola Factor
Despite the high-profile approach, executing this transfer remains a mountainously difficult task.
| Factor | Rodri Transfer Situation |
| Contract Expiry | June 2027 |
| City Stance | Prioritizing an unconditional contract extension |
| The Pep Element | Pep Guardiola’s situation has temporarily paused renewal talks |
| Likely Outcome | Player still leans toward staying in Manchester |
Before Madrid made contact, Rodri was reportedly inching closer to a long-term contract renewal with the Cityzens. However, widespread reports of Pep Guardiola’s imminent departure from Manchester City have caused a sudden halt in the player’s renewal negotiations.
Even with the temporary freeze in contract talks, Moretto emphasizes that as things stand today, Rodri is still more likely to stay with the Premier League giants than force a move to Spain. He remains fiercely loyal to the project he anchored to European glory.
RMxtra Verdict: Florentino’s Ultimate Midfield Statement
By launching an initial inquiry for Rodri, Florentino Pérez is sending a clear message to José Mourinho and the rest of Europe: Madrid is preparing to spend aggressively.
While Mourinho’s tactical setup would thrive with a pure defensive specialist like Hjulmand, landing a player of Rodri’s undisputed generational caliber transcends managerial preferences. Even if the deal is highly unlikely to cross the finish line this summer, setting the groundwork now puts Real Madrid in prime pole position if Manchester City’s post-Guardiola empire begins to show cracks.
