Man City star linked with exit in fresh report

March 17, 2026 Oliver Obel

Manchester City’s difficult run of form has been compounded by fresh uncertainty surrounding Rodri, with a report in Spain suggesting the midfielder may not extend his stay at the club.

Pep Guardiola’s side are under pressure both domestically and in Europe. Recent draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham United have left City trailing Arsenal by nine points in the Premier League title race with eight games remaining. Their Champions League hopes are also hanging in the balance after a 3-0 first-leg defeat to Real Madrid.

Amid that backdrop, Spanish outlet El Nacional has reported that negotiations over a new contract for Rodri have stalled. The report claims the Spain international is not expected to sign an extension, though this has not been confirmed by more widely established sources.

According to El Nacional, Rodri is said to be open to returning to Spain later in his career. His current deal with City runs until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Rodri has been a central figure for Guardiola since joining from Atletico Madrid, becoming one of the team’s most influential players in midfield. He has made 291 appearances for the club, scoring 28 goals, and played a key role in their recent successes, including his Ballon d’Or-winning 2023/24 campaign.

His progress was disrupted in September 2024 when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. While he has since returned to action, it remains unclear whether he has fully regained his previous form.

Any potential departure would represent a significant challenge for City, given Rodri’s importance to Guardiola’s system and the lack of a like-for-like replacement in the squad.

City return to action on Tuesday when they host Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League tie.

Sources: El Nacional