Real Madrid make first move for Manchester City midfielder Rodri with opening bid talks

Real Madrid have opened formal negotiations with Manchester City over the signing of Spain midfielder Rodri, in what would be one of the headline transfers of the current summer window.

The Spanish club have held initial verbal discussions with City’s hierarchy after president Florentino Perez authorised the pursuit of the 28-year-old, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. Real Madrid are prepared to table an offer worth in excess of €50m as they look to test the Premier League champions’ resolve.

Rodri, who is under contract at Etihad Stadium until 2027, has become a top strategic target for Real Madrid following his recent performances for Spain and subsequent World Cup triumph. Within the club, there is now a strong view that the Manchester City midfielder is the ideal profile to strengthen the centre of the pitch, providing control, game management and rhythm from deep.

Real shift from interest to concrete pursuit

For months, Real Madrid had effectively closed the door on the possibility of signing Rodri, despite long-standing admiration for the player. That stance has now changed, with the club moving from internal interest to an active attempt to secure a deal.

Romano reports that Perez has given the “green light” to go ahead, a decision that has triggered direct contact between the two clubs. The first conversations have been exploratory and verbal rather than written, but they mark the clearest indication yet that Real Madrid intend to challenge City for one of their most influential players.

Inside Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex, Rodri is understood to be held in particularly high esteem. The idea of building part of the new project around him has gained traction at all levels of the club.

Mourinho strongly backing move

The interest in Rodri has also received the backing of Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho, who considers the Spain international a key piece in his plans for the team.

Mourinho is keen to add a midfielder capable of dictating tempo and providing defensive balance, and believes Rodri fits that role perfectly. The Portuguese coach sees him as essential to the structure of his new project and has supported the push for Real Madrid to move decisively in the market.

That internal support has helped elevate the operation from a desirable deal to a priority objective for the club this summer.

Player’s future and timing of talks

Rodri’s current deal with Manchester City runs until 2027, which puts the Premier League side in a strong contractual position. However, Real Madrid hope that the player’s desire to return to Spain could become a factor in shaping the outcome of negotiations.

The Spanish club are aiming to accelerate talks in the coming days, with the intention of reaching at least a framework agreement with City before Rodri reports back for pre-season training as Pep Guardiola’s squad begin preparations for the new campaign.

Real Madrid view their opening proposal as a way to unlock more advanced talks and gauge City’s stance, rather than as a final offer. They hope the initial bid will pave the way for more detailed negotiations over the structure and overall value of any transfer.

Should an agreement be struck, the move would be one of Real Madrid’s most significant operations of the current transfer window, underlining both their ambition to refresh the midfield and the growing importance of Rodri after his success with Spain and Manchester City.