Man City move to tie down stars amid Rodri contract saga

Manchester City have accelerated a sweeping contract drive to secure the futures of their key players, determined not to repeat the situation that has seen Rodri move to the brink of a transfer to Real Madrid.

The Spain midfielder is close to joining the European champions after running his deal down to its final year at Etihad Stadium and rebuffing all attempts from City to extend. Real Madrid are understood to have already reached an agreement with the player over personal terms, while talks continue between the Spanish club and City over a transfer fee.

Rodri’s stance, and the leverage he has gained by entering the last 12 months of his contract, has prompted a shift in strategy from the Premier League champions, who are now moving earlier and more aggressively to renew deals for players they see as central to the team’s long-term future.

Khuasanov signs through to 2031

As part of this change of approach, Manchester City have officially announced a new contract for Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov, extending his stay by a further two seasons until the summer of 2031.

The long-term deal is a clear indication of how highly City rate the 20-year-old, who is regarded within the club as one of their most promising young defenders and a significant asset for the coming years.

Khusanov’s renewal follows swiftly on from the club’s decision to secure Phil Foden on a new contract. The England international, a home-grown talent and one of the standout performers of Pep Guardiola’s side, has been identified as a cornerstone of City’s sporting project for the foreseeable future.

Doku and Gvardiol next in line

City’s hierarchy do not intend to halt their retention campaign with Foden and Khusanov. Reports indicate the club are currently working to finalise new contracts for Belgium winger Jeremy Doku and Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol.

Both players are seen as integral to the next phase of Guardiola’s squad, and City want to remove any prospect of them approaching the final year of their current deals, where rival clubs could attempt to exert pressure or tempt them away.

The planned extensions for Doku and Gvardiol form part of a broader strategy designed to “lock in” the futures of City’s most important assets and to shut down any external attempts to lure them to other European giants.

Lesson from Rodri impasse

The pace and scope of these moves underline City’s desire to avoid a repeat of the Rodri situation. The club now recognises that delaying renewal talks can hand significant bargaining power to players, particularly those coveted by Europe’s elite, and can weaken the club’s position at the negotiating table.

By acting earlier to renew contracts and ensuring that core squad members do not enter the final year of their deals, City hope to protect both their sporting project and the market value of their leading players.

Rodri’s likely departure to Real Madrid, combined with the push to extend contracts for Foden, Khusanov, Doku and Gvardiol, marks a clear inflection point in how Manchester City manage contractual risk at the top end of their squad.