Florentino Pérez Targets a New “Galáctico” for the Midfield

The upcoming summer transfer window could feature one of its most sensational moves yet. According to reports from the English press, Real Madrid have reignited their interest in Rodri, the midfield lynchpin of Manchester City, and are preparing an offer worth €150 million to bring him to the Santiago Bernabéu.

The Spanish star, crowned the world’s best player in 2024, has become an irreplaceable piece for the English champions. Since arriving in 2019 from Atlético de Madrid, Rodri has grown into the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s tactical system, winning multiple Premier League titles and lifting the European Championship with Spain.

Although City view him as “untouchable,” the midfielder’s current contract — which runs until 2027 — has kept Madrid’s hopes alive. The idea is to strike next summer, before the Cityzens risk losing him for a reduced fee further down the line.

The Price of a Complete Midfielder

The figure Real Madrid are reportedly willing to pay shows how highly Florentino Pérez and the club’s board value Rodri. Initially, the Spanish giants were said to be unwilling to go beyond €100 million for his transfer, but the recent departures of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos have changed the scenario.

For Madrid, Rodri represents the ideal long-term solution to rebuild their midfield. His ability to dictate the tempo, recover possession, and lead from deep makes him the prototype of the modern midfielder.

On Manchester City’s side, the stance is firm: Rodri is not for sale. Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports that the Spaniard “makes the team tick,” emphasizing that even if he doesn’t always grab headlines, his influence is crucial to their success.

A Future Up in the Air

With Real Madrid’s interest growing, City president Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is reportedly preparing a contract extension to increase Rodri’s salary and put an end to the transfer rumors.

The next transfer window promises to be dramatic. If Madrid can pull off the deal, it would be one of the most expensive transfers in football history and a major power move in Europe. If not, Manchester City will have successfully locked down one of their most vital players for years to come.