PSG explore move for Rodri as Al-Khelaifi reacts to Real Madrid’s Diomande coup

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has instructed his club to pursue Manchester City midfielder Rodri after Real Madrid hijacked PSG’s move for Ivory Coast international Diomande, according to reports in Spain.

The battle between the European heavyweights over Diomande has sparked a new phase in the simmering rivalry between the clubs. Al-Khelaifi is said to have responded to losing out on the midfielder by placing Spain captain Rodri at the top of PSG’s transfer priorities.

Spanish newspaper AS reports that Al-Khelaifi realised last Thursday that signing Diomande had become impossible, after Real Madrid dramatically turned the deal around in a short period of time.

A phone call followed by a decisive meeting was described as enough to shift the direction of the transfer. Diomande’s focus moved fully towards the Spanish champions, at a moment when PSG believed they were on the verge of closing the agreement.

Once the Ivorian learned of Real Madrid’s concrete interest, his enthusiasm for joining PSG is understood to have faded. Instead, he revived what is described as a long-standing ambition to wear the famous white shirt and line up alongside Kylian Mbappe and the rest of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad – a dream he had previously spoken about during his time at Leganes.

Al-Khelaifi targets Rodri in swift response

Those developments prompted an immediate reaction from Al-Khelaifi, who, according to the same report, issued direct instructions to open communication with Rodri’s representative as a way of striking back at Real Madrid following the collapse of the Diomande deal.

The move has not been framed as a mere media gesture or a tactic to apply pressure on other parties. It is presented as the product of a clear determination from the PSG president, who was unwilling to accept the loss of Diomande without attempting a response of similar weight in the transfer market.

Al-Khelaifi is also said to be well aware of reports that Rodri has an interest in playing for Real Madrid, as well as the widespread praise the midfielder received after he was named best player at the World Cup. Those factors are understood to have reinforced his view that signing the Manchester City player would represent an ideal way to answer the Spanish club.

Rodri prioritises return to La Liga

Despite PSG entering the picture, Rodri is reported to remain focused on a return to La Liga as his preferred next step.

The midfielder is currently on his summer break, waiting for clarity over his future with only one year left on his Manchester City contract. Uncertainty around his situation persists, although he continues to speak publicly with respect about the Premier League champions.

New Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has made clear he wants Rodri to stay, viewing him as one of the central figures in his tactical plans.

For their part, Manchester City have not altered their stance. The club is said to insist that no formal offer has arrived for the Spain international and still regards him as indispensable for the coming period.

Real Madrid watching developments from distance

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are monitoring events involving Rodri without changing their current transfer strategy.

The European champions are keeping their squad list open until the transfer window closes, but have not advanced beyond observing the situation. Reports suggest a move for Rodri could become an active option only if there is a departure from Real Madrid’s midfield in the coming weeks.

That possibility has not yet materialised, leaving any approach for the Manchester City player as an unresolved scenario rather than a concrete plan.

For now, PSG’s interest in Rodri stands as the latest flashpoint in an increasingly competitive relationship with Real Madrid – one intensified by the late twist that took Diomande to the Bernabeu instead of Paris.