Manchester City faces a significant challenge in the early days of Enzo Maresca’s tenure, with reports from GOAL indicating Real Madrid’s strong confidence in securing the services of Spain’s World Cup-winning captain, Rodri, before the September 1 transfer deadline. The 30-year-old defensive midfielder is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad, and his departure would mark another high-profile exit in a transitional period for the Premier League giants.

Rodri has long been a pivotal figure for City, missing only seven games before suffering an ACL rupture in September 2024. Despite the injury, he went on to lift the Ballon d’Or a month later in Paris and was instrumental in Spain’s World Cup triumph in North America, dictating play from midfield for Luis de la Fuente’s side. His absence has been cited as a contributing factor to Manchester City’s inability to claim the league title since the 2023-24 campaign.

The midfielder has openly expressed his desire to return to his homeland. “Would I like to play in Spain again, in La Liga, in Madrid? I would like to return, yes, obviously,” Rodri told reporters during the March international break. He further elaborated on the allure of the Spanish capital, stating, “You can’t turn down one of the world’s best clubs.”

Maresca’s midfield conundrum

New manager Enzo Maresca, who previously served as a City first-team coach and Chelsea boss, inherits a squad undergoing considerable change. He faces the immediate task of addressing Rodri’s situation, especially with the player scheduled for back surgery on Monday. “Around big players there are always speculations so I am not worried about that,” Maresca said in his first press conference. “I think it is normal, also because they won the World Cup, because he is one of the best players. I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player. But now, surgery on Monday [on his back]. He needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us.”

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Maresca also acknowledged the monumental task of following Pep Guardiola, drawing comparisons to other legendary managers. “I have said many times, I consider Pep the best coach in the world in the last 20-25 years. It is a challenge. Also the history of the manager with many years in the same club, they struggle a bit. Sir Alex, Arsene. But it is also a challenge to do the right things.”

Manchester City has already seen key players depart, with Bernardo Silva moving to Real Madrid and John Stones joining Inter, both at the end of their contracts. In midfield, Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, and Kalvin Phillips have reportedly been deemed surplus to requirements. The club has, however, made significant investments:

• Elliot Anderson was signed for £116 million ($155m). The 23-year-old became a key part of Thomas Tuchel’s England side and demonstrated his defensive prowess last season in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest, winning possession 306 times and 297 duels. At the 2026 World Cup, Anderson made the joint-most tackles (18), sharing the title with Rodri. He also created 54 opportunities, with nine being big chances.

• Nico Gonzalez arrived in January 2025 to cover for Rodri during his ACL layoff.

• Tijjani Reijnders joined for £46m from AC Milan last summer.

To further bolster their options, City might expedite the arrival of 18-year-old defensive-midfield target Ayyoub Bouaddi, a breakout star of Morocco’s World Cup campaign, from Lille. The potential departure of Rodri would undoubtedly accelerate Maresca’s need to integrate these new talents and reshape the midfield for the challenges ahead.

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