Manchester City midfielder Rodri has admitted “you cannot turn down the best clubs in the world” when questioned about a potential move to Real Madrid in the future.
Spanish radio station Onda Cero interviewed the Spain international and asked about his future at City, whose current contract expires in the summer of 2027.
Sky Sports News understands Rodri is a player City prefer to keep and would like to agree a new contract with.
But when questioned on his future, the player said: “I have a year left on my contract. There will come a point when we’ll have to sit down and talk.”
When asked about reports that Real president Florentino Perez wants Rodri at the club, the midfielder said: “I don’t know. They don’t speak to me about that. They speak to my agent.”
Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid – Real’s rivals – in 2019 and has since established himself as one of the top midfielders in world football.
He admitted he would one day like to return to LaLiga and did not rule out playing for Real simply because he has previously played for rivals Atletico.
Rodri salutes the supporters after doubling Man City’s lead against Exeter with a 30-yard strike
“There are other players who’ve taken that path,” he added. “Not directly, but over time. You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.
“I would like to return (to LaLiga) yes, of course. For me, LaLiga is where I started. I still follow it, not as much as before, but I still follow it. But right now, I am very happy here (in the Premier League).
“I have one year left on my contract (at City), there will come a point when we’ll have to sit down, talk, and discuss things.”
City are not commenting on Rodri’s interview, which was conducted as he prepares to face Serbia and Egypt in friendlies over the next two weeks.
So far, Rodri has made 293 appearances for City, scoring 28 goals and adding 32 assists. During his seven-year stay at the Etihad, City have won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three League Cups, one Club World Cup and the Champions League.
‘Real Madrid targeting midfielder – but it might not be Rodri’
Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol:
“What Man City will try and do is have talks with his representatives and get him to agree to sign a new contract.
“He is such a key player for Man City, he is one of their best ever midfielders and one of the best we have ever seen play in this country.
“You do have to remember he has had a serious knee injury, which he has been recovering from. That is one of the reasons there haven’t been in-depth talks about extending his contract.
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Manchester City midfielder Rodri has cast doubt over his long-term future at the club after telling Spanish radio station Onda Cero he would be open to a return to La Liga one day AND possibly a move to Real Madrid.
“It is interesting what he has had to say. It would’ve been easy to say he is on international duty and doesn’t want to talk about his club future.
“He said what privately a lot of players would say. It is very difficult to turn down a big club like Real Madrid if they come in for you.
“We have to retain a sense of perspective. Just because Real Madrid may want a player does not mean they will get him.
“We do know they are interested in signing a new midfielder this summer. I am sure Rodri is one of the players they will be looking at, they have also been linked with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo at Chelsea.
“They will have a lot of options. If I were a Man City fan, I wouldn’t be getting too worried. I think Man City do want to keep him and quietly, they are probably pretty confident they will get him to sign a new deal.”
City targeting ‘top class’ midfielder this summer
Sky Sports News reported on Wednesday that City are looking at several top-class central midfielders ahead of the summer – but that movement will need to take place in that area of their current squad in order to bring someone else in.
City are looking closely at the likes of Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, as they prepare for the next transfer market.
However, Rodri is not someone City want to sell, having arguably been their best player for almost seven years, with the futures of players such as Mateo Kovacic more likely to be on the agenda when assessing the current squad.
Manager Pep Guardiola, who also has just a year left on his contract until 2027, has always maintained that if players come to him wanting and asking to leave the Etihad, then he would not stand in their way.
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