Real Madrid target Man City star as 'big fish signing' for 2025

Real Madrid have identified Rodri as their top transfer target for the summer 2025 window, a report has claimed.

Los Blancos made two major additions to their squad ahead of the 2024/25 season, signing long-term target Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, while Brazilian starlet Endrick completed his move from Palmeiras after turning 18.

Madrid resisted the urge to make further improvements this summer, despite being heavily linked with Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies, who is into the last 12 months of his contract at the Allianz Arena.

AS report that while Madrid are confident of bringing in Davies for free in 2025, the 'big fish signing' the club are hoping to make is that of Rodri from Manchester City.

Club president Florentino Perez, chief scout Juni Calafat and manager Carlo Ancelotti are all in alignment on a pursuit of Rodri, who are searching for a successor to Toni Kroos. Madrid recognise that Rodri and Kroos' are slightly dissimilar, but ultimately accept they will not find a one-to-one replica of the German anywhere in football, forcing them to look at different types of options.

Rodri is under contract at City until 2027, and though his agent has been contacted to try and extend this deal, no agreement has been reached. Though the midfielder is happy at the Etihad Stadium and would welcome becoming one of the Premier League's highest-paid players, he is mindful to a return to the Spanish capital, where he was born and previously played for Atletico.

The report adds that Rodri is only considering two options, either to sign a new long-term deal at City or advance a move to Madrid.

City could be open to selling Rodri at the right price, though this will almost certainly be a nine-figure sum, which Madrid are wary of.

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