Updated: 13 May 2026 13:43 BST |
4 min read
Rodri is close to ending months of speculation by signing a new contract with Manchester City, who are leading Real Madrid in the race for the Ballon d’Or winner’s signature.
Out of contract at the end of the season, Rodri had been strongly linked with a move back to his homeland with Los Blancos.
However, it appears he is now planning to extend his stay with Pep Guardiola’s side, with a “decision imminent” from the 29-year-old.
Rodri close to new Man City deal
Transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports on X: “Real Madrid have not yet taken any official steps with Manchester City regarding Rodri, despite the interest they have in him, and now the midfielder is closer to renewing with the English club.
“The decision is imminent.
“Manchester City have been negotiating the renewal with Rodri for weeks and are now willing to accelerate the process to keep him for at least one more year in the Premier League.”
City appear to offer more stability to the Spain international at this point in his career, with Real Madrid in a state of huge uncertainty as the summer approaches.
The Spanish club are fighting a series of internal fires, and though it appears that Jose Mourinho will become their next manager, it remains unclear what impact this will have on the playing staff.
The Portuguese has demanded that he has input into each signing Real Madrid make, so president Florentino Perez would be understandably reticent to make too many deals without the new manager’s seal of approval.
Back in Manchester, meanwhile, Rodri’s willingness to sign a new contract would hint that Pep Guardiola’s rumour exit has either been quashed internally or is not common knowledge among the squad.
The captain’s desire to stay at the Etihad Stadium will be seen as a major victory for the club.
Rodri is the best midfielder in the world by far – Pep Guardiola
Guardiola previously underlined Rodri’s importance to Man City when speaking in February 2024.
“He’s an unbelievable player. He’s the best midfield player in the current world by far,” Guardiola said.
“It’s because he’s able to do everything. So the tempo he has, especially his character when the situation is going wrong, he steps forward to arrive to the box, go backwards, the ability to play short and long. He’s always ready.
“What a signing. Manchester City signed a player that is difficult to understand what we have done in recent years without him. It would’ve been difficult.”
Despite being hampered by a hamstring injury this season, Rodri has been among the leading performers among central midfielders in the Premier League this season, according to SciSports’ analysis.
Unsurprisingly, his passing has been highlighted as a particular strength.
Rodri injury update
The Man City boss, meanwhile, has confirmed that Rodri should be available for the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Quizzed about the fitness levels of the midfielder on Tuesday, he replied: “He’s doing better. We’ll see in training this afternoon.”
Rodri will hope to celebrate a new deal by leading Man City to the Premier League title, but victory is required against Palace to keep those hopes burning.
