Manchester City pushing for contract answer from midfield star amid growing Real Madrid transfer concerns

Officials within the Etihad Stadium are reportedly pushing for an answer over a new contract proposal presented to defensive midfield superstar Rodrigo.

The Spaniard has returned to duties for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side following an extended break over the course of the summer, after his competitive season with club and country went all the way last season.

Having reported for international commitments with Spain at the European Championships off the back of a record-breaking fourth successive Premier League title win, the 28-year-old claimed the national team honour in Berlin with a final victory over England.

It was the latest evidence of Rodri’s exceptional performances at all levels of the game driving his sides to silverware success, and Manchester City are recognising his importance to their own game by striving for a fresh contract renewal.

City’s efforts to renew the player’s Etihad agreement would see a significant uplift financially, but the club view such an improvement in terms as a reward for the player’s contributions at all levels of the game for the club since joining in 2019.

Now, according to the information of The Athletic’s Sam Lee, Manchester City want everything sorted out quicker than usual when it comes to the contractual situation and the offer presented to defensive midfield star Rodri, and the club are pushing for an answer.

From the side of the Spanish international himself, it is pointed out that he knows he has ‘more or less everything’ he could hope for in Manchester, other than the obvious factors of sun and family, and is ‘very happy’ at the club.

However, that is not enough for those within the Etihad Stadium to sit entirely relaxed over Rodri’s future, with the report stating that Manchester City have always suspected, one day, Real Madrid may come calling.

As such, the report quotes a source who confirms that Los Blancos are interested in signing Rodri but believe they do not have the financial means to make a deal happen, with no intention of matching what City have offered the player in their latest contract offer.

Crucially too, The Athletic’s source points out that Real Madrid also do not think they could afford the transfer fee that Manchester City would demand for a player of Rodri’s calibre, should there be any intention from the player to make the move in future.

There does however remain one external factor that could make life somewhat easier for Real Madrid, and that is the ongoing issue of Manchester City’s battle with the Premier League over their 115 charges for alleged financial rule breaches.

Real Madrid are reportedly willing to wait to see the outcome of the case, and think that if City are found guilty and receive a major punishment, then there may be an opportunity to make a move for the Ballon d’Or challenging midfielder.

Media outlets in Spain have already started driving the Rodri to Real Madrid agenda in their own reports, with the front page of Spanish newspaper AS earlier this month captioned ‘Rodrigo 2025’, with a photo of the Manchester City man emblazoned across the edition.

On the pitch, Manchester City have been working on solutions to handle absences of Rodri throughout the course of an extended season, with Mateo Kovacic educated into the role of lone defensive midfielder.

City remained faultless in their opening four Premier League matches where Rodri was absent from the starting line-up, and will look to extend that run of excellent form into the meeting with Arsenal this weekend, when the Spaniard is expected to start.