The dramatic development, revealed on July 29, 2026, follows a significant u-turn from Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, who has green-lit formal negotiations after months of keeping the operation on hold. Backed by his stellar, Golden Ball-winning performances during Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph, the 30-year-old defensive anchor has prioritised a return to his hometown, with contract agreements between the player and the Spanish giants already finalised.
Pérez Gives the Green Light
The transfer saga has rapidly accelerated into a “deal on” status over the last 12 hours. Initially, the Real Madrid hierarchy was highly reluctant to proceed under Manchester City’s steep economic conditions, publicly insisting that the midfielder was not part of their summer plans.
However, following a secret breakthrough meeting with the player’s agents, Pérez altered his stance, granting direct authorization to senior board executives to open verbal discussions with the Premier League champions.
The Opening Financial Framework
With Rodri having entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium—which runs until June 2027—Real Madrid holds considerable leverage in the market. The European champions have communicated to City officials that they are prepared to table an opening package exceeding €50 million to conclude the transfer immediately. [1, 2, 3]
- Real Madrid’s Valuation: While prepared to spend upwards of €50m, Madrid is aiming to cap its final expenditure at roughly €60 million.
- Manchester City’s Counter-Stance: City executives have not yet formally replied to the opening approach. They are braced for an intense bidding war and are expected to demand at least €80 million to allow their midfield general to depart.
Rodri’s Relentless Push for Madrid
Manchester City has spent months trying to tie their superstar down to a lucrative contract extension, but progress completely stalled due to the player’s personal desire to return to Spain. Rodri has openly dreamt of wearing the white jersey, actively pushing behind the scenes to facilitate the move.
Reports from transfer insiders confirm that Rodri has informed his camp that he will accept any contract configuration presented by Real Madrid, prioritizing the sporting project and a return to his roots over financial gains. While City expects other elite continental clubs to enter the race, Rodri’s strict enforcement of his Madrid preference has put Los Blancos firmly in the driver’s seat.
