Real Madrid abandon pursuit of Man City star as he ‘doesn’t align’ with their strategy

Real Madrid are reportedly not planning to pursue Rodri in the near future, as he doesn’t align with their strategy of avoiding signings of players nearing 30. Despite Rodri’s pivotal role at Manchester City, his age—28—makes him an unlikely target for the Spanish giants.

Rodri has been one of City’s most influential players in recent years, with a significant impact on their performance. The team has notably struggled in his absence, losing five matches since his ACL injury ruled him out for the season, including a heavy 4-0 defeat to Tottenham, where Ilkay Gundogan struggled in his position.

Although there has been speculation about Real Madrid’s interest in Rodri, reports from Marca indicate he is not part of their plans. The club appears cautious after the Eden Hazard transfer failed to deliver value and is now reluctant to make significant investments in players approaching 30, even for someone of Rodri’s caliber.

Interestingly, Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, an achievement that reportedly irked Real Madrid, especially as Vinicius Junior was overlooked. The club sent no representatives to the ceremony. When asked about Vinicius, Rodri joked about the lack of communication, but he expressed respect for Real Madrid, calling them “the best club in history” and admitting he would consider a move to the club if approached.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s transfer activity remains active elsewhere. Borussia Dortmund is reportedly eyeing a loan move for Endrick, though such a deal currently seems unlikely. Arsenal has shown interest in a potential loan for Arda Güler, with Real open to the possibility. The club is also linked with former player Casemiro and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, who carries a hefty £100 million price tag. Additionally, Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi is being considered as a midfield option, offering some similarities to Rodri in playing style.