Man City 'expecting' Rodri offers as interest intensifies

Manchester City are bracing to receive offers for Rodri during the summer transfer window after his World Cup performances.

The 30-year-old was back to his best in the USA, Canada and Mexico as he lifted the Player of the Tournament award after leading Spain to their second World Cup trophy.

Those performances came alongside ongoing speculation about his long-term future at the Etihad, with Real Madrid the most high-profile of his many suitors.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Enzo Maresca has no plans to lose Rodri and he will be a crucial part of his plans.

After stepping in to replace Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, Maresca now has bid shoes to fill and hopes to keep his best players at the club to give him the best chance of success.

Meanwhile, reports have suggested Real Madrid are prepared to cool their interest this summer, and will instead wait until next year when Rodri's contract is set to expire.

How do Man City feel about losing Rodri this summer?

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider in June that Rodri is unlikely to leave the Etihad this summer, with a free transfer more likely in 12 months' time.

Following Maresca's appointment, there is an even greater chance that the Spaniard will remain at Man City, with the new boss extremely reluctant to lose such an important player.

As a result, Man City are bracing to recieve offers but have no inteitnion of letting the newly-crowned World Cup winner leave the club this summer.

"Rodri is bound to attract interest after how well he did at the World Cup," Brown told Football Insider.

"That interest from Real Madrid isn't going anywhere, and to be honest, I'm surprised they haven't made a move for him yet, but it now seems like they're prepared to wait.

"That should play right into Man City's plans, because Enzo Maresca doesn't want to lose one of his best players just before taking over.

"It was always going to be a challenge for him to step in and replace Pep Guardiola, but if he loses a player as important as Rodri is, it will make his job that much harder.

"So as far as Maresca is concerned, Rodri is not for sale and will not leave this summer, but Man City will be expecting offers because it seems he is very much back to his best.

"He's just won the World Cup and the Player of the Tournament award, so of course there is interest in him, but that's the exact same reason Man City won't want to let him go."

What is the latest on Rodri's contract situation?

Much of the speculation surrounding Rodri's future at the Etihad has come as a result of his contract situation, with less than 12 months now remaining on his deal.

Having recovered from his lengthy ACL injury, the midfielder now looks back to his best, and has inspired renewed interest in his situation.

However, Football Insider revealed in May that Rodri is being lined up for new contract talks at Man City as they hope to get his long-term future tied down.

The Spain international has been a long-term target for Real Madrid, and recently confessed it would be difficult to turn down the move should an offer arrive.

However, with City keen to keep him at the Etihad beyond the end of next season, they are set to step up their attempts to deter interest from elsewhere.