Manchester City face the likelihood that Rodri will not sign a new contract, with Real Madrid circling as his deal runs down. The Ballon d'Or winner has turned down offers and is currently recovering from minor back surgery. Enzo Maresca expects him back before the season, but the situation is complicated by City's long-standing transfer policy.
City's Golden Transfer Rule
City have a clear principle: any player who wants to leave can do so, provided an acceptable offer is made. This was previously applied to Leroy Sane, whose move to Bayern Munich fell through when the German club failed to meet City's £135m valuation. Similarly, bids for Bernardo Silva were repeatedly rejected because City deemed him too valuable at the time, and he left later on the club's terms.
Calculating Rodri's Value
City's CEO Ferran Soriano, a numbers-focused executive, will have a specific valuation for Rodri. Reports of a €50m bid are far below that figure. Soriano dislikes the emotional side of transfers but understands the financial calculation. If Real Madrid want the Spain World Cup winner, they must meet City's price, or risk angering the seller. City are determined that any departure will be on their terms, whether this summer or next.
