After his standout brilliance in the 2026 World Cup with the Spanish national team, where he earned the title of best player in the tournament, the future of Rodri, the 30-year-old Manchester City midfielder and 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, has become a story that has captured the hearts of the Spanish, amid a fierce three-way battle between Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain to secure his services.
According to the Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo," Manchester City is demanding 80 million euros for the departure of its Spanish star, despite only one year remaining on his contract that ends in the summer of 2027, capitalizing on the player's outstanding performance in the World Cup to maximize financial gain.
Barcelona and Paris enter.. and Real waits
The matter saw new developments over the weekend, as the French channel RMC Sport reported that Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have officially entered the race to sign Rodri, after his name had been linked only to Real Madrid.
Italian expert Fabrizio Romano indicated that Paris's interest in Rodri is a reaction to Real Madrid following the transfer of Diomande, while Spanish media outlets differ on the royal club's true intentions, with some seeing seriousness in the deal and others believing the player himself is the one seeking the move.
City prepares for all scenarios
Despite the significant European interest, Manchester City has begun working on extending Rodri's contract with an offer that includes a massive salary, while at the same time preparing for the possibility of his departure, as it is interested in several alternatives in midfield, including Barcelona's rising star Marc Bernal.
The final decision remains in Rodri's hands, as he faces difficult choices between staying in Manchester with a huge salary, returning to La Liga, or trying something new with Paris Saint-Germain, in a deal that could be one of the summer's most prominent transfers.