Rodri back on Real Madrid radar as doubts grow over Perez’s transfer influence

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has re-emerged as a serious transfer target for Real Madrid this summer, with senior club figures driving a move despite reservations from president Florentino Perez over the player’s injury record.

The Spain international, regarded as one of the world’s leading central midfielders, had previously appeared to be off Real Madrid’s shortlist. However, according to ESPN reporter Rodra, the European champions have now revived their interest and are treating the 28-year-old as a genuine option to reinforce their midfield.

The report says Real Madrid’s chief executive, Jose Angel Sanchez, and head of scouting, Juni Calafat, are spearheading the push to sign Rodri, reflecting the growing clout of the club’s sporting department in shaping transfer strategy.

President Perez ‘unconvinced’ but increasingly sidelined

Despite the internal momentum behind the move, Perez is said to be unconvinced about the wisdom of signing the Manchester City star.

The Real Madrid president, according to Rodra, has expressed concern that Rodri could suffer further fitness problems, with the midfielder preparing to undergo a minor back operation to address ongoing pain.

The procedure has been described as straightforward, and the back issue is not considered serious. Nonetheless, it has contributed to Perez’s caution over committing to a major deal for the player.

Yet Rodra reports that Perez’s sway over transfer-market decisions during this window is “less than usual”, suggesting a subtle power shift within the Bernabeu hierarchy. Key executives appear increasingly prepared to advance deals even when the club president has misgivings.

Recent deals completed despite Perez’s objections

The ESPN report underlines that this would not be the first time recently that Perez’s preferences have been overridden.

Rodra notes that “بيريز سبق ان رفض في مايو الماضي فكرة التعاقد مع البرتغالي برناردو سيلفا، لكن الصفقة تمت. كما علم بصفقة مارك كوكوريلا بعد الاتفاق معه بالفعل”.

Translated, that means: “Perez had previously rejected in May the idea of signing Portuguese Bernardo Silva, but the deal went through. He also learned about the Marc Cucurella deal after an agreement with him had already been reached.”

The examples are being read in Spain as evidence that Real Madrid’s recruitment is being increasingly driven by its sporting structure, headed by Sanchez and Calafat, rather than by Perez’s personal preferences alone.

World Cup star status boosts Rodri appeal

Rodra also highlights that Rodri’s profile within the club has risen sharply following his performances with Spain on the international stage.

He states that the Spain midfielder, described as the national team’s star and winner of the Best Player award at the 2026 World Cup, has significantly strengthened his standing among Real Madrid decision-makers. His blend of defensive intelligence, passing range and tactical discipline is seen as ideal for anchoring Real’s midfield in the coming years.

The combination of his World Cup acclaim and sustained excellence for Manchester City has prompted a reassessment at the Bernabeu, where he is now being viewed as one of the few players capable of elevating an already dominant squad.

Summer window set for internal tug-of-war

Any move for Rodri would likely involve complex negotiations with Manchester City, who rely heavily on the Spaniard as the fulcrum of Pep Guardiola’s system and are under no pressure to sell.

Inside Real Madrid, the coming weeks could expose further tension between Perez’s cautious stance and the more aggressive approach favoured by Sanchez and Calafat.

While concerns over Rodri’s back problem remain a sticking point for the president, the medical view that the issue is not serious – combined with the player’s elite status – appears to be fuelling Real Madrid’s renewed determination to test City’s resolve before the transfer window closes.