Real Madrid are considering a cut-price move for Rodri this summer, with Spanish reports suggesting the European champions are willing to test City's resolve with a bid in the region of £50 million.
The figure is a long way short of what the Blues would likely demand for a player who remains the reigning Ballon d'Or holder and World Cup Golden Ball winner. But with Rodri's contract at the Etihad entering its final year and no agreement yet reached despite months of talks, the situation is no longer straightforward.
Contract situation unresolved
City have been making lucrative offers to tie down the 30-year-old for some time. The club's hierarchy are well aware of his value — not just in monetary terms, but as the midfield anchor who has defined their most successful era. Yet a resolution over his long-term future has yet to materialise.
Rodri's desire to return to his homeland and his openness to a move to the Bernabeu are both becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss as background noise. Direct communication between the two clubs has already taken place earlier this summer, and a good working relationship is cited as a factor that could help facilitate discussions.
For director of football Hugo Viana, this represents one of the defining decisions of his tenure. Sell now and recoup a significant fee, or risk losing one of the world's best midfielders for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season.
For Enzo Maresca, the prospect of beginning his debut season without Rodri at the base of his midfield presents a considerable challenge. The Spaniard's ability to control tempo, dictate press triggers and manage games from deep is regarded as irreplaceable within the system the Italian intends to implement.
City's confidence in landing Ayyoub Bouaddi for £85m after a breakthrough in Lille negotiations suggests they are already planning for life beyond Rodri. Whether that plan is accelerated this summer or delayed by another year depends on whether Madrid's low-ball approach is met with anything other than a firm no.