Rodrigo's transfer to Real Madrid reaches key breakthrough: Man City demands €75 million, negotiations enter critical phase

As reported by German Sky Sports on July 31, 2026, direct negotiations have begun between Real Madrid and Manchester City over the transfer of Spanish midfield core Rodrigo. The Premier League club has quoted €75 million for the World Cup's best player, whereas Real Madrid is prepared to pay more than €50 million. The parties are now locked in a fierce battle over the valuation difference.

Player's resolve is firm, personal terms already agreed

Although club-level talks are still ongoing, the attitude of the Madrid-born Spanish player Rodrigo himself has become the biggest driving force behind the deal. Multiple sources confirm that the 30-year-old Madrid native harbors a strong "childhood dream of Real Madrid" and is determined to return to La Liga to join the Bernabéu. To facilitate the transfer, Rodrigo has not only explicitly rejected Manchester City's contract renewal offer but also turned down lucrative proposals from clubs like Paris Saint-Germain. It is reported that Rodrigo has already agreed on personal terms with Real Madrid, with both parties planning to sign a four-year contract, and he is even willing to accept a salary reduction for this move.

Shift in senior management stance, Mourinho pushes for the signing

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez had previously been cautious about signing Rodrigo, mainly due to concerns about the player's age (30) and injury history. However, at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Rodrigo captained Spain to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time in 16 years and won the tournament's Golden Ball award. This dominant performance completely dispelled the doubts of Real Madrid's top brass. Meanwhile, new Real Madrid coach José Mourinho regards Rodrigo as the "final piece of the puzzle" for midfield reconstruction and has repeatedly pressured the management to bring him in, ultimately prompting Florentino to formally approve the transfer plan.

Negotiations turn into a tug-of-war, squad clearance becomes a prerequisite

Currently, the biggest obstacles to the deal are the transfer fee dispute and Real Madrid's squad roster. Manchester City sticks to a firm bottom line of €75 million, unwilling to let go of their midfield core at a low price during a contract year. Real Madrid, on the other hand, hopes to exploit the fact that Rodrigo's contract has only one year remaining, aiming to keep the fee within €60 million.

Additionally, all 25 first-team registration spots at Real Madrid are currently filled. To register Rodrigo, the club must sell at least one first-team player before the transfer window closes to free up space. Currently, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, and some young players are on the club's clearance list, but some players' refusal to leave is creating significant resistance to Real Madrid's squad trimming efforts.

As the summer transfer window progresses, the negotiations between Real Madrid and Manchester City have entered the most critical sprint phase. If the two sides can find common ground on the transfer fee and complete the necessary squad reduction, the World Cup Golden Ball winner could don the Real Madrid jersey in the near future.

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