Real Madrid News
Real Madrid increasingly optimistic about signing Manchester City midfield ace – report
According to ESPN, Real Madrid have grown increasingly optimistic about their chances of signing Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
The Spanish capital giants have significantly shifted their stance on the 30-year-old defensive anchor, aggressively pursuing the Spain international as a premier target for the current summer transfer window.
A dramatic World Cup shift
The escalating optimism marks a total U-turn from Real Madrid’s initial transfer strategy.
Senior executives at the Santiago Bernabeu, led by club president Florentino Perez himself, had previously expressed major internal concerns regarding Rodri’s recent physical issues and injury history, leading them to initially rule out a move.
However, his extraordinary individual displays during Spain’s victorious FIFA World Cup campaign entirely transformed opinions at the highest level of the club.
Leading his nation to global glory as captain, Rodri’s exceptiona displays prompted the Merengues’ hierarchy to officially reassess the operation and sanction an intensive pursuit.
City want a replacement
With Rodri keen on the move, Real Madrid are now very optimistic about signing the Spanish international, despite PSG trying to intervene.
The primary administrative hurdle now rests on the contractual dynamics and the stance of Manchester City.
Rodri has officially entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, putting the Cityzens under immense pressure to negotiate a fee this summer or risk losing him on a free transfer next year.
The report indicates that Manchester City executives are unlikely to formally sanction the midfielder’s departure until they successfully secure a high-calibre replacement to anchor their own midfield under Enzo Maresca.
As for Real Madrid, they are prepared to be patient during these preliminary club-to-club movements, but they remain confident that a financial package can be structured to close the deal.
Balancing the squad for Mourinho
Rodri’s potential arrival would cap off a highly ambitious, star-studded summer window for Madrid under newly returned head coach Jose Mourinho.
The club has already completed major deals for Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and former City maestro Bernardo Silva.
Because of the massive financial outlay required to fund these signings, alongside the impending €135 million arrival of winger Yan Diomande, Real Madrid’s board is actively working on first-team departures.
The Merengues will need to facilitate several player sales over the coming weeks to balance the wage bill and free up space for the new arrivals as they look to hand Mourinho his ultimate squad.
In what will come as a pleasing development for fans, Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid forward Rodrygo could make a comeback from his injury earlier than expected.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has been out of action since March after suffering an ACL injury during a La Liga game against Getafe.
Due to the complete rupture of the ACL, coupled with associated meniscus damage, it was suggested that the attacker was staring at a lengthy time out on the sidelines and might not return until 2027.
In fact, the forward’s father, Eric Goes, recently stated in an interview that the Real Madrid ace could be back in February next year, just before the business end of the campaign.
Rodrygo could be back in December
However, as per the update from Romano, Rodrygo’s comeback could happen well before that expected date.
Indeed, if things continue to progress at the current rate, the 25-year-old attacker might return to action in December or by January 2027 at the latest.
This will come as a welcome boost for Jose Mourinho & co., considering that Rodrygo is a valuable player for the team.
Even though he had endured a tough spell prior to his form, the Brazilian’s versatility, work rate off the ball, and eye for a goal make him an asset.
Rodrygo eager to be back at his best
The update from Romano further states that Rodrygo feels very grateful to Real Madrid for all the help and support they have given him during this difficult phase of his career.
As such, the Brazilian international has made it a mission to return to action in the best shape possible and make an impact from the get-go.
The attacker has only recently begun working on the pitch with the ball indicating the significant progress he has made on the road to recovery.
And, if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could recover one of their ace attackers before the end of the current year.
So far in his career, Rodrygo has made 297 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 71 goals. He has a contract with the club until 2028.
