Set to leave? 

©IMAGO

European champion and World Footballer of the Year Rodri has revealed that a move to Real Madrid may be too good to turn down. The central midfielder turns 30 this summer and with a market value of €65 million, ranks among the five most valuable players with contracts expiring in 2027, alongside Harry Kane and others. And it seems as though the Spaniard has no interest in extending his stay at the Premier League club.

In Spain, the Atlético Madrid academy graduate, who moved from the Rojiblancos to Manchester in 2019 for €70 million, is being touted as a potential new signing for Real Madrid. “I have one year left on my contract, there will be a point where we will have to sit down and talk,” said the Man City star in an interview with Onda Cero. When specifically pressed on the interest from Real Madrid, he added: “You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.”

Rodri could still win four titles this season: three with Man City and one with Spain. In the Premier League, the gap to Arsenal is nine points – that will be difficult; in the Champions League, Man City were knocked out by Real Madrid; they won the EFL Cup against Arsenal; and Liverpool await in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The midfielder is confident of success in the USA, Canada and Mexico: “We’ll win,” says Rodri, praising national coach Luis de la Fuente.

Spain will travel to the World Cup this summer as one of the big favourites. “We’ll win,” says Rodri, who also praises Luis de la Fuente – a manager who has led Spain back among the world’s best teams. “Since he arrived, we’ve had a clear objective: to treat every game like a final. We’ve shown our potential step by step. The key is a team that is constantly improving and developing (…) I’m convinced that Spain will be right up there.”

Rodri could then form a double six alongside Arsenal’s Martín Zubimendi. “Spain has already won a World Cup once with two defensive midfielders. De la Fuente’s strength lies in his ability to combine many players.” A nod to 2010, when the Spaniards won the World Cup with Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets.