Enzo Maresca has stressed the importance of keeping Rodri at Manchester City this season, describing talk of a move to Real Madrid as “speculation”. The Spanish midfielder underwent back surgery last Monday, but is expected to return to Manchester next month, despite reported interest from the La Liga side.
Rodri’s contract at the Etihad runs until the end of the 2026/27 season, and attempts to agree an extension have so far proved unsuccessful. The 28-year-old previously said he would provide an update on his future after the World Cup, but has yet to do so. Real Madrid, under new manager Jose Mourinho, are said to be keen to reunite him with Bernardo Silva at the Bernabeu.
Any bid from the Spanish club could depend on the sale of Aurelien Tchouameni, while City retain the power to reject any offer. Speaking about the latest on Rodri’s situation, Maresca underlined the midfielder’s importance to the club’s plans.
“It’s very important. I said in the first press conference that any manager in the world wants Rodri, so it’s important for me, for the club and for everyone but now he needs a holiday. He’s very important when we need to play every three days,” he said. “The main focus for him when the season finished was the World Cup. Now he enjoys some rest after that and we didn’t have any conversation just focused on Rodri.”
Maresca confirmed the operation had gone well, adding: “It’s just speculation in this moment. Rodri had surgery last Monday, everything was fine. Now some days off and then back with us when he has finished the holiday.”
