Rodri Hernández is coming off a complicated year, having won the Ballon d'Or in a surprising fashion. He has taken the opportunity to recover from a very serious injury and is ready to get back in the fight. He is 29 years old and his future is more uncertain than ever, with his contract ending in 2027 with Manchester City, with the renewal still not finalized.
City has proposed extending his contract until 2029, making him one of the highest-paid players in the squad. Despite this, he hasn't decided yet what to do, considering an unexpected return to Spain with Real Madrid.
Unexpected signing
For some time now, Florentino has been following any developments on the matter. He is interested in signing Rodri, as this is a transfer personally requested by Xabi Alonso. He is his ideal midfielder and believes he would completely change Real Madrid's squad.
This has put Pep Guardiola on alert, aware that one of his biggest stars could leave Manchester. Real Madrid is "a real threat" and his departure would be a huge blow. The entire project fell apart last season with the serious knee injury he suffered, and he can't even imagine what his departure would mean.
No one will lose their head
Rodri Hernández, a key piece for Manchester City and the national team, is one of the best in the world in his position. However, at Real Madrid they are clear that they won't lose their head over his signing.
Negotiations, if they happen, will take place in the summer of 2026, when Rodri will have only one year left on his contract with City. By then, the player will already be 30 years old and Florentino Pérez keeps a firm stance: the deal couldn't exceed 40 million euros. The president doesn't want to break the club's financial structure, no matter how high the footballer's level is.
At Santiago Bernabéu, his tactical intelligence, his ability to bring balance to the team, and his leadership in midfield are highly valued. However, the club is also looking to the future and is aware that investing a large sum in a player who is already approaching thirty doesn't fit its usual policy.
The Rodri case is on the table, but with a clear roadmap: wait for the right moment and negotiate under advantageous conditions. Florentino has already decided that, in this signing, patience will be the key.