According to Spanish media reports, Real Madrid are no longer interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Real Madrid had previously held strong interest in Rodri, who has one year left on his contract with Manchester City — the same length as Pep Guardiola’s deal. Rodri will turn 30 this summer and has only just returned from a serious knee injury, which is still affecting his performances. Even so, his Transfermarkt value remains as high as €75 million, and Manchester City will not sell him for less than €60 million. These factors have caused Real Madrid to lose interest.
Last summer, Real Madrid abandoned their move for Martín Zubimendi, who waited for Real Madrid until the last moment before joining Arsenal for €60 million. Signing Zubimendi would have eased Real Madrid’s deep midfield problems, but the club still decided against it.
Real Madrid never hid their interest in Rodri, but Atlético Madrid refused to let him leave at the time, ending any move. Rodri eventually moved to the Premier League and developed into a top player under Guardiola. Real Madrid’s only remaining possibility would be to wait for Rodri’s contract to expire, at which point they might consider making space for him.
Real Madrid are still looking for transfer targets to strengthen the midfield, which has become a weak point since the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić. Dani Ceballos could leave to make room for new signings, and Real Madrid are also open to promoting youth-team player Thiago Pitache.
