Rodri once again proved why many consider him the best holding midfielder in world football during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Spain captain controlled matches throughout the tournament and led his country to the trophy with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final.
The midfielder dictated play from deep with his passing and composure. His performances also earned him the Adidas Golden Ball as the best player at the tournament.
Those displays only strengthened speculation linking him with a move away from Manchester City. Real Madrid have continued to monitor Rodri throughout the summer.
Earlier reports suggested club president Florentino Perez and manager Jose Mourinho did not completely agree over a move for the Spaniard.
However, Rodri’s performances at the World Cup changed the situation. The Spanish midfielder has already entered the final year of his Manchester City contract after rejecting renewal offers.
Real Madrid have also agreed personal terms with the player until 2030. However, the Spanish giants still need to bridge the gap between their valuation and Manchester City’s asking price.
Now, according to MARCA, Florentino Perez has given Real Madrid the green light to sign Rodri, with the club preparing to submit an official offer once Yan Diomande’s transfer is completed.
The report states that Mourinho views signing a new midfielder as a non-negotiable priority this summer.
He believes Rodri is the ideal player because of his leadership, versatility and ability to control matches from midfield. Perez had previously represented the biggest obstacle to the transfer.
However, the Real Madrid president has now approved the move, leaving the club to complete negotiations with Manchester City.
The report adds that Manchester City are open to selling Rodri because he has entered the final year of his contract.
As matters stand, the Premier League club value the Spaniard at between €50 million and €60 million. Real Madrid now want Rodri to become the heartbeat of Mourinho’s midfield next season.
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