Manchester City eye Bouaddi as Real Madrid prepare Rodri bid
Real Madrid are reportedly preparing an offer for Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who is believed to be a key target for the Spanish club. This development comes as Manchester City are understood to be advancing in their pursuit of Lille and Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Real Madrid‘s interest in Rodri has been ongoing, with initial contact reportedly made with Manchester City. The Spanish giants are thought to be willing to pay between £43m and £51m (€50m-€60m) for the Spain international, who has one year remaining on his current contract. One report suggests a deal could be finalised after a meeting on Thursday.
Despite Real Madrid‘s reported intentions, Manchester City are not looking to sell Rodri. Instead, the club is hoping to secure a new long-term contract for the midfielder. Rodri recently underwent back surgery and is currently in recovery. He is expected to miss the Community Shield and the opening Premier League fixture of the season.
Rodri’s importance to Manchester City
Rodri‘s significance to Manchester City is highlighted by the club’s desire for him to lead the team into the new era under Enzo Maresca. According to one analysis, Rodri is considered by some to be among the best players in his position in the Premier League, and potentially the best in world football. His performances, including his role in Spain’s World Cup victory, have been noted.
The midfielder’s ability to control games and set the tempo for his team has been a consistent feature of Manchester City‘s play. His presence is seen as crucial, with observations suggesting that Manchester City faced challenges in retaining their Premier League title in seasons when he was affected by injuries.
One perspective suggests that selling Rodri for the reported fee would not be beneficial for Manchester City, advocating for the club to retain him even if it means he could depart on a free transfer later. This view emphasizes the difficulty of replacing a player of his calibre.
Manchester City’s midfield considerations
While Manchester City aims to keep Rodri, their reported progress in a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille indicates potential future planning for the midfield. This move could be seen in the context of maintaining squad depth and quality in the central midfield area.
The club has also seen other midfield movements, with Bernardo Silva reportedly moving to Real Madrid. This departure creates a void that the club may be looking to address through new acquisitions and the development of existing players.
One analyst mentioned Elliot Anderson as a player who could learn from Rodri and potentially evolve into a similar role. Anderson, described as a box-to-box midfielder, is noted for putting up numbers that make him comparable in certain aspects.
Real Madrid‘s pursuit of Rodri is also linked to the club president Florentino Perez‘s re-election, during which he faced criticism regarding the club’s representation in the Spain national team. The club has already signed Marc Cucurella this summer, and there is a belief within Real Madrid that a move for Rodri is the next step.
Real Madrid are reportedly confident in securing a deal for the 30-year-old midfielder, who has one year left on his contract with Manchester City.
Source: skysports.com
