Real Madrid to sign Rodri for '£64m' - Man City expert 'expects him to go'

Manchester City are unlikely to get a deserved fee for star midfielder Rodri, as Real Madrid close in on his signature this summer.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Premier League giants should be asking for upwards of £85million.

Real Madrid have made no secret of their desire to sign the Citizens' No.16, with Jose Mourinho a major admirer of the 30-year-old Ballon d'Or winner.

Rodri now has less than 12 months left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, meaning that City are running out of chances to cash in.

While a contract extension has not been fully ruled out, the increasing consensus is that the Spain international will make the switch this summer.

Real Madrid have not been afraid to splash the cash so far, but they are being tipped to underpay by quite a bit for Rodri in the coming weeks.

Man City to lose Rodri for below market value

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson is resigned to losing Rodri this summer, with Los Blancos closing in on his signature.

"Casemiro to [Manchester] United was £60m down and £10m on top. He was a player of similar age, and a similar contract situation as well actually," he said.

"In my view, the right number would be €100m (£85m), but it doesn't look like City are asking for that, and I would expect him to go, unfortunately.

"The direction of travel is that he will go. Man City seem to be happy at around €75m (£64.1m), maybe €70m (£59.8m).

"It's not a fee that I think is the right number, but that's where, for whatever reason, whether it's as a favour to the player or his service or otherwise, seems to be where they are."

What has Enzo Maresca said about Rodri?

The post-Pep Guardiola era is upon us, and Enzo Maresca could be about to begin it without a key player in his squad.

Speaking about having Rodri in the team, Maresca said: “It's very important. Any manager in the world wants Rodri because he's a top player.

"So it's important for me, the club and for everyone. But now, he needs his holiday. That's very important when we start to play every three days."

Obviously, the arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest should soften the blow if Rodri is to leave, but it would still be a very painful farewell for the supporters.