Real Madrid dey prepare to shake the transfer market again — this time with a £130 million bid for Manchester City midfield machine Rodri come 2026.
Reports from the Daily Star talk say the Spanish giants wan take advantage of one “nagging fear” wey dey trouble Pep Guardiola’s City side. But interestingly, this move fit even favor Manchester United.
Real Madrid just reclaim top spot for La Liga after dem beat Villarreal 3-1 on Saturday, thanks to Vinicius Junior’s brace and another landmark goal from Kylian Mbappe. But dem fit drop again if Barcelona win their game in hand against Sevilla.
Even though Madrid no sign new midfielder during the last summer window, Xabi Alonso and the Bernabeu board don make it clear say midfield reinforcement dey top of their wishlist for the next transfer windows — especially as uncertainty dey surround some of their current midfielders.
Real Madrid Dey Plot £130m Rodri Transfer Bid
The report claim say Real Madrid dey ready to break bank to lure Rodri comot from Etihad Stadium. The Spain international — who also win the 2024 Ballon d’Or — go reach the end of his contract after next season, and though Man City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak wan tie am down with new deal, serious fear still dey for City camp.
The main worry be say if Pep Guardiola eventually leave Man City soon, Rodri fit also follow exit door to join the growing Real Madrid project under Xabi Alonso. If that £130m bid materialize, e go make Rodri the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history, breaking the £110.6m record for Jude Bellingham back in 2023.
One small obstacle be Rodri’s past ties with Atletico Madrid, Real’s city rivals. But Alonso dey reportedly desperate to sign am because of the kind control and composure Rodri bring to midfield — the exact qualities Alonso himself display during his playing days. Even though Rodri still dey find full fitness after his ACL injury, Alonso no dey shake about wanting him.
How Man United Fit Gain From the Whole Move
Right now, Real Madrid no get plenty senior options for defensive midfield. Only Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Dani Ceballos dey fit operate there, while Bellingham dey play more advanced role.
Ceballos hardly dey play, and Valverde — one of Madrid’s most versatile players — don now dey linked to Manchester United. If Real Madrid manage to sign Rodri, that move go open the door wide for Valverde to move to Old Trafford.
United don dey eye Valverde for long, especially since Ruben Amorim wan rebuild the midfield with more dynamic energy and direct play. The Uruguayan’s stamina, drive, and passing range go fit perfectly into Amorim’s fast-transition system.
But there’s still one wahala — Valverde fit no too reason the move if Man United no dey play Champions League football. The midfielder dey used to elite-level competition, and joining a rebuilding side go only happen if the project convince him say the Red Devils dey serious about returning to the top.
Bottom Line
If Real Madrid’s £130m plan for Rodri go through, e no go only shake the market — e fit trigger a full reshuffle across Europe. Man City go lose their engine room leader, Real Madrid go gain their new midfield general, and Man United fit finally land Valverde — one player dem don eye for years.
Whichever way e go, this Rodri transfer saga fit turn to one of the biggest stories of 2026.
