Man City to offer ‘succulent’ deal to 57-cap star, but there’s a ‘real threat’ elsewhere

Manchester City have a point to prove in 2025-26 after the disappointment of last season, with Pep Guardiola’s men keen to wrestle the Premier League title back from rivals Liverpool.

City were out of sorts for large parts of last season and have looked to address this by spending big in the summer transfer window.

City have signed Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, with Guardiola’s men surely set to be much improved in 2025-26.

However, keeping their critical players happy and at the Etihad Stadium will be critical in City’s chances of winning the Premier League this season.

Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

New City contract offer inbound for Rodri

Despite City’s new signings, keeping Rodri fit and available will be crucial in 2025-26.

However, the latest report from AS in Spain suggests Guardiola’s men are ‘nervous’ about Real Madrid’s interest in the current Ballon d’Or holder, and are ready to offer him a ‘succulent’ new contract.

The Spanish newspaper state the offer will be made in coming days and would make Rodri one of the Manchester club’s top earners alongside Erling Haaland.

It goes on to state that Rodri is undecided on his future and is in no hurry to sign an extension on his current deal, which runs until the summer of 2027.

Xabi Alonso is said to be a big fan of the City star and Madrid have made the 29-year-old a key transfer target this summer.

Keeping Rodri at club – and fit – is key for City

It is not coincidental that City’s performance levels dropped off last season at the same time as Rodri being unavailable due to serious injury.

Rodri ruptured his cruciate ligament last September, meaning the former Atletico Madrid midfielder was sidelined for almost the entire campaign.

The 29-year-old featured for City in the Club World Cup over the summer, but has sustained another injury and won’t be available for the club’s Premier League opener against Wolves next weekend.

Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Rodri is a proven winner and a unique player, with few others in world football able to have such an impact from the deep-lying midfield role.

Guardiola will hope he can convince his compatriot to commit his future to City and staving off Madrid’s interest in Rodri will be crucial if the Etihad Stadium side are to get back to the top of English football.

Click here to read article