Overview
- Real Madrid moved from interest to formal negotiations this week and has lodged a verbal offer reported around €50m–€60m to Manchester City.
- Manchester City has resisted selling outright and values Rodri substantially higher than Real’s opening figures while insisting on signing a replacement first.
- City’s pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has accelerated with personal terms reported agreed and club-to-club talks progressing, making Bouaddi the practical precondition for a Rodri exit.
- Real face a separate operational hurdle because their 25-player LaLiga squad limit is full and they must clear one or more spots before they can register any new signing.
- Rodri is recovering from recent back surgery and will miss the season start, his contract runs into next summer, and that timing raises pressure on both clubs' pricing and sequencing decisions.