The 24-year-old, who has been a vital part of Real Madrid’s attack, is reportedly admired by City manager Pep Guardiola and could become a high-profile addition to the Premier League club if a deal is struck.

Rodrygo’s ambitions and Manchester City’s interest

According to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, relayed by several English and Spanish sources, Rodrygo would “love to play under Pep Guardiola” at Manchester City, with the City boss also described as a strong admirer of the Brazilian winger.

While Rodrygo has been linked with other Premier League clubs—most notably Arsenal, who are seeking a left-sided attacker, as well as Liverpool and Newcastle United—Manchester City appears to be his preferred destination if he leaves Madrid.

City’s interest is not new. Reports suggest that Guardiola has been monitoring Rodrygo for some time, viewing him as a potential fit for City’s dynamic attack. However, questions remain about how Rodrygo would fit into a squad already boasting wide options such as Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, and Oscar Bobb.

Despite this, City’s willingness to invest in top attacking talent keeps the possibility alive, especially with the club’s history of squad rotation and tactical flexibility under Guardiola.

Real Madrid’s stance and financial considerations

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are facing a summer of significant squad changes under new manager Xabi Alonso. The club has already invested heavily, bringing in Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and may need to generate funds through player sales to continue reshaping the squad. Rodrygo, valued at around €90 million ($105 million), is one of the few players who could command a substantial fee in the market.

Despite the rumors, Madrid’s official position remains that they would prefer to keep Rodrygo, with Alonso reportedly considering him a key part of his plans for the 2025/26 season.

However, if the right offer arrives and Rodrygo expresses a clear desire to leave, a transfer could become a realistic outcome—especially if it helps Madrid fund further acquisitions.

Uncertainty ahead of the summer window

For now, Rodrygo’s future remains undecided, with much depending on Real Madrid’s ongoing squad overhaul and Manchester City’s willingness to meet the Spanish club’s asking price.

The Brazilian has not formally requested a transfer, but his openness to a new challenge in the Premier League, particularly under Guardiola, adds intrigue to what could be one of the summer’s biggest transfer stories.

With the transfer window set to heat up after the FIFA Club World Cup, all eyes will be on whether Rodrygo becomes the latest star to swap the Bernabéu for the Etihad.