Rodri Hernández has once again become one of the biggest names in the transfer market. According to a report from The Athletic, although no formal negotiations have begun between Real Madrid and Manchester City, there is growing optimism in the Spanish capital that the midfielder could become the club's marquee signing this summer.

The deal is still far from complete, but Real Madrid believes the Spain international is the ideal player to become the new leader of its midfield, a position the club considers a top priority to strengthen.

Meanwhile, Manchester City has no intention of giving up easily.

Manchester City Are Determined to Keep Their Leader

According to The Athletic, officials at the Etihad Stadium remain hopeful they can convince Rodri to continue under Enzo Maresca.

The Spanish midfielder is not only regarded as one of the best players in the world in his position, but he has also become one of the dressing room's leaders and a cornerstone of Manchester City's recent success.

His ability to control the tempo of matches, recover possession, and dictate play has made him the heartbeat of City's midfield and one of the most influential players in European football.

For that reason, the club's priority is to extend his contract or, at the very least, persuade him to fulfill the remainder of his current deal.

Why Does Real Madrid Want Rodri?

For several transfer windows, Real Madrid has been searching for a midfielder capable of replacing the influence once provided by Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić.

While players such as Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde offer different qualities, none combine the complete skill set that Rodri possesses.

The Spanish international provides defensive balance, leadership, experience in high-pressure matches, and exceptional quality when building play from deep.

He also arrives after establishing himself as one of the standout performers for the Spain National Team, helping win UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he was once again among the tournament's most influential players.

How Rodri Would Fit Into José Mourinho's System

Rodri's potential arrival would also have a major impact on José Mourinho's tactical project.

Throughout his managerial career, the Portuguese coach has built his best teams around a holding midfielder capable of providing balance and tactical discipline. Over the years, he relied on players such as Claude Makélélé, Xabi Alonso, Esteban Cambiasso, Nemanja Matić, and Sami Khedira, all of whom became essential pieces in his systems.

Rodri represents the modern evolution of that role.

Beyond winning possession and protecting the back line, he possesses outstanding vision, progressive passing, and the ability to dictate the rhythm of matches from deep positions. That combination would allow Mourinho to give even greater attacking freedom to players such as Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé, enabling them to receive the ball in more dangerous areas.

Defensively, his tactical intelligence would also allow Real Madrid to press higher without sacrificing balance, an attribute that often proves decisive in elite competitions.

Real Madrid Continue Monitoring the Situation

Although confidence remains high inside Real Madrid, the transfer still depends on several key factors.

The first is Manchester City's position, as the English club continues to consider Rodri untouchable.

The second is the player's own decision, as he must choose between remaining one of the central figures in Enzo Maresca's project or embracing a new challenge with Europe's most successful club.

In addition, Real Madrid is closely monitoring the midfielder's physical condition. Before any negotiations accelerate, the Spanish giants will also be keeping a close eye on the minor surgical procedure Rodri is scheduled to undergo to correct a small back issue that has caused him discomfort in recent weeks.

The procedure is expected to be a minor outpatient operation that will not require hospitalization. If everything goes according to plan, the Spain international should be able to report for Manchester City's preseason preparations in approximately three weeks, a timeline that Real Madrid will also be watching carefully.

For now, no formal negotiations have taken place.

However, The Athletic reports that officials in Madrid believe Rodri has everything required to become the new leader of the club's midfield for the next decade. Should the transfer eventually materialize, it would not only rank among the biggest signings of the summer but could also become the final piece in José Mourinho's project to restore Real Madrid to the top of European football.

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