Rodri to Real Madrid? Expert shares big Man City update after shock twist
Man City may be powerless to prevent Rodri from making the move to Real Madrid if they decide to pursue his signature in the summer.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that players always find it difficult to turn down the chance to join Madrid.
This comes after the 28-year-old told Spanish media last week: “I have two years left on my contract, the time is approaching to sit down and speak again.
“I feel very valued at the club. For the time being I’m very happy… Obviously when Madrid, the best and most successful club in history, calls you, it is an honour. You always have to pay attention.”
Rodri’s contract at the Etihad is set to expire in 2027, and City will hold the cards in any potential negotiations, but his latest admission has set alarm bells ringing.
The situation was compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Man United, which Brown explained was almost inevitable despite their desire to keep him at Old Trafford.
In a similar vein, he explained that City will be desperate not to lose the midfielder given his importance to the team, but may have to accept the situation as it is.
Man City powerless to resist Real Madrid move to sign Rodri
Madrid’s interest in the Spaniard comes as they are keen to continue to add the best players in the world to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience working closely with players and agents at the top level, including over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the reputation the club has built is hard to ignore.
“It’s very difficult to turn down Madrid if you get the opportunity,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s situation where there’s almost no doubt he’d want to stay at his club, until Real Madrid come calling.
“It’s the lifestyle, the size of the club, everything about it. Especially for a Spanish player.
“They’ve established this sense within the game over a number of years, and they’ve got this aura about them, so it never surprises me when players want to go there.
“At the end of the day, I can’t think of a player who has turned down Real Madrid.
“Ronaldo was treated like a god at Man United but he still wanted to leave, even Sir Alex new he couldn’t stop him from leaving other than to delay it for a year.
“So of course City will be reluctant to lose such an important player, but if Real Madrid come calling, they might be powerless to resist.
“They’ll be concerned about his comments, too, because we know how crucial he is to their team.”
In other news, Bournemouth ‘will accept’ Man City offer for star man.
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