Man City step up long-term contract drive as Rodri edges towards Real Madrid move

Manchester City have accelerated a sweeping programme of contract renewals for key players as the club looks to avoid a repeat of the situation surrounding Rodri, who is close to joining Real Madrid with only a year left on his deal.

The Spain midfielder is understood to be on the verge of a move to the Bernabeu after choosing not to extend his contract at City. With just one season remaining on his current terms, Rodri has rejected all renewal offers and opted to wait while talks progressed with Real Madrid.

The European champions have already reached an agreement with the 28-year-old over the terms of his contract, while negotiations are ongoing between Real Madrid and Manchester City over the size and structure of the transfer fee.

That saga has prompted a shift in approach at the Etihad Stadium, with City’s hierarchy now moving earlier to secure the futures of players regarded as central to the club’s sporting project, and to prevent them from entering the final year of their contracts.

City announce Khusanov extension

As part of this strategy, Manchester City have officially announced a new deal for Uzbekistan defender Abdulquddus Khusanov, extending his contract by a further two seasons.

The agreement commits the 20-year-old to the club until the summer of 2031, underlining City’s belief in him as one of their most promising young defenders and a long-term option in their back line.

Khusanov’s extension follows swiftly on from a new contract for England international Phil Foden, who renewed his deal only a few days earlier. Foden is viewed inside the club as a cornerstone of City’s plans for the coming years.

Further renewals targeted

City’s board do not intend to stop there. Reports indicate that the Premier League champions are currently working to finalise new contracts for Belgium winger Jeremy Doku and Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol.

Both players are considered integral to the club’s future and are seen as part of a broader effort to secure the core of Pep Guardiola’s squad on long-term agreements, limiting the scope for Europe’s elite clubs to tempt them away.

By moving pre‐emptively, City hope to close off potential leverage for their biggest stars as they approach the final stages of their deals and to avoid being drawn into difficult late negotiations.

Lesson from Rodri situation

The Rodri case has been taken inside the club as a warning about the risks of delaying renewal talks with key players.

Allowing one of the side’s most influential figures to reach the final year of his contract has given the midfielder a strong negotiating position and left City facing a more complicated set of discussions, both with the player and with a direct Champions League rival.

The current run of extensions, and the negotiations still under way, are therefore being interpreted as part of a deliberate policy shift designed to “protect the sporting project” at Manchester City and to ensure that the club, rather than its stars, dictates the timing and terms of any future exits.