Rodri's move toward Real Madrid is now being discussed as a negotiation, not a guess. The main point is simple enough. Madrid and Manchester City are working on the price, with the deal expected to settle close to €65 million, while City had initially valued him at around €75 million and Madrid were aiming nearer €40-50 million.

The fee gap is narrowing

That is the stage this has reached. The gap is smaller than it was, but it has not disappeared. City do not want a prolonged stand-off, and the player is aligned with Madrid, which leaves the clubs trying to land on a figure both sides can sell.

There is also the contract pressure. Rodri has 12 months left on his City deal, so a sale now makes more sense than letting the situation drift. City are not being pushed into a corner on the sporting side, though. They finished second in the 2025 Premier League with 78 points, and they know exactly what it would mean to lose a Ballon d’Or winner without bringing in proper value.

Rodri's recent form still suits Madrid

Rodri's World Cup run is part of why Madrid are comfortable pushing this forward. He made 8 appearances at the 2026 World Cup, played 745 minutes and posted a 7.57 average rating. Recent reports said his back procedure went fine, and Maresca said, "It's just speculation in this moment. Rodri had surgery on Monday, everything was fine. Now he will get some days off and then return back with us after his holiday ends."

Rodri himself has already made the Madrid angle plain. "When Real Madrid call you, the best club in history, the most successful, everything that means ... Obviously, it's an honor and you always have to pay attention, of course," he said. Madrid, who finished second in La Liga with 86 points, are buying that level of player, not a gamble on reputation.

City's position is still to keep things calm in public. Enzo Maresca said, "I said in the first press conference that any manager in the world wants Rodri..." That line fits the wider picture. Everyone wants the player, but the transfer is now about whether the two clubs can settle the fee before the talk turns into a standoff.

The next move is on the negotiating table, not on the pitch. City and Madrid are still trying to close the gap on valuation, and Rodri's future depends on whether that ends near €65 million or drifts into another round of haggling.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →