Man City trim Rodri valuation as Real Madrid handed boost in pursuit of midfielder

Manchester City have reduced their asking price for Rodri to around €80m, paving the way for Real Madrid to intensify their move for the Spain midfielder, according to reports in Spain.

Journalist Sergio Valentin says City have scaled back their financial demands after it became clear the 30-year-old, now entering the final year of his contract, has no intention of signing an extension and wants a new challenge away from the Etihad Stadium.

City, who were widely expected to insist on a fee in excess of €100m for the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, are now said to be prepared to sanction a sale for €80m in order to avoid the risk of losing him for nothing when his deal expires.

Real Madrid encouraged by City stance

Valentin reports that Real Madrid had initially planned to open negotiations at around €60m, but have been encouraged by City’s revised position, viewing the lower valuation as a major opportunity to complete what is being framed as one of the standout transfers of the window.

The same report suggests any agreement is likely to be struck at a compromise figure between City’s €80m demand and Real Madrid’s original €60m intention, with all parties now understood to see a route to a deal.

Rodri is said to have “made up his mind” over his future, with the midfielder regarding a move to the Santiago Bernabeu as a dream he is determined to realise this summer.

Strategic shift at Manchester City

City’s decision is described as a strategic shift by the Premier League club, driven by the twin factors of Rodri’s contract situation and his firm stance against renewing.

With the player heading into the last 12 months of his deal and signalling his desire to move on, the English champions are reported to have concluded that a sale at a reduced but still substantial fee represents the most pragmatic option, rather than risking a free transfer departure further down the line.

Optimism at the Bernabeu

The development has sparked what is described as significant optimism among Real Madrid officials, who believe Rodri would represent a transformative signing for their midfield in the coming years.

Inside the club, the prospect of adding a Ballon d’Or-winning holding midfielder is being viewed as a historic reinforcement in a key area of the pitch, and the updated price point from City is seen as a crucial breakthrough in converting that ambition into a completed deal.

While no final agreement has yet been confirmed, the recalibrated stance from Manchester City and Rodri’s clear preference for a move to Real Madrid are now being portrayed in Spain as decisive steps towards one of the summer’s headline transfers.