Real Madrid is set to make a £100 million bid to transfer Manchester City star Rodri to the Bernabeu, dealing a huge blow to Pep Guardiola

Guardiola provided a positive appraisal of the midfielder in America.

REAL Madrid are preparing a £100 million attempt to attract Manchester City striker Rodri to the Bernabeu this summer.

Madrid’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, has prioritized the Spanish midfielder following Real’s loss to PSG in the Club World Cup semi-finals earlier this month.

Xabi Alonso is targeting an audacious bid to land Man City star RodriCredit: Getty

Pep Guardiola will be reluctant to lose the midfielder as Madrid weigh up a £100m offerCredit: Getty

Madrid believes City may be enticed by a mega-bid, despite Guardiola’s reluctance to lose the midfield fulcrum who helped them lose the Premier League title last season.

Rodri, 29, missed the majority of the season due to ACL and meniscus injuries sustained in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

In the Club World Cup, he started once and appeared three times as a substitute. However, he only lasted 37 minutes as City lost to Al Hilal in the final 16 due to a new injury.

Uncertainty regarding his exact physical state is one issue that may persuade Real to wait and see, with his City contract set to end in 2027

The Bernabeu club can examine his physical condition over the next year, since his City contract expires and his asking price may decrease dramatically.

Alonso is attempting to persuade Madrid to offer City a proposal for the 29-year-old Rodri, anticipating City’s desire to sign him to a long-term contract provided his fitness remains strong.

Real believe that former Atletico Madrid star Rodri, who was born in the Spanish capital and went to the Premier League for £62.8 million six years ago, would be open to returning “home”.

Alonso’s midfield struggled against Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fabian Ruiz of PSG.

That has prompted him to demand an expansion of his engine room choices, with Rodri, the Ballon d’Or winner in 2024 despite missing the final three months of the year due to surgery, considered as the ideal solution.

Pep has never hidden his admiration for Rodri, stating following his debut against Juventus in the US: “Everyone knows how important Rodri is.”

“He is one of the top players in the world. When they’re not on a squad, they’re missed.”

City paid £50 million for Spain’s Nico Gonzalez from Porto in January, then added Dutchman Tijjani Reijnders before the Club World Cup, and finally signed Norwegian prodigy Sverre Nypan last week.

It’s uncertain whether they can sufficiently replace Rodri, and Guardiola doesn’t appear to be interested in selling, but Madrid is ready to test the waters in the last weeks of the summer window.

Why Nottingham Forest Owner Evangelos Marinakis Wants Morgan Gibbs-White to Join Manchester City Despite ‘Fury’ Over Tottenham Approach

A surprising twist in the transfer saga of Morgan Gibbs-White has emerged, with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly favoring a potential move to Manchester City for the star midfielder — even as emotions run high over Tottenham Hotspur’s persistent interest. The reasoning behind Marinakis’ preference is layered in ambition, relationships, and long-term strategic thinking.

Marinakis, a powerful figure in European football, is said to be deeply frustrated by Tottenham’s direct and increasingly aggressive pursuit of Gibbs-White. Spurs have reportedly made multiple approaches, some of which were perceived by Forest as unsettling to the player and disrespectful to the club’s negotiation stance. The Premier League side considers Gibbs-White a core asset, and while a sale isn’t ideal, the right destination does matter to the hierarchy.

In stark contrast to the friction with Tottenham, Manchester City’s admiration for Gibbs-White has been quieter and more respectful, with Pep Guardiola known to appreciate the midfielder’s dynamism, tactical versatility, and creativity in tight spaces. Marinakis is reportedly drawn to the idea of one of his club’s brightest stars being molded under one of the game’s greatest coaches.

The relationship between Marinakis and City’s leadership is also believed to be cordial, built over years of mutual understanding in dealings across European football. City are viewed not just as a club, but as an institution that could elevate Gibbs-White’s game while preserving Forest’s dignity in the process.

What adds fuel to this narrative is Marinakis’ ambition to turn Forest into a respected player-developing club that can profit and thrive in the transfer market while maintaining footballing credibility. Selling a star to a reigning champion like City reinforces a message of growth, professionalism, and prestige — whereas allowing a top player to go to a direct rival like Tottenham, who have unsettled the player mid-contract, sends a less favorable message.

Behind the scenes, insiders believe Marinakis has also been impressed with how City integrate young talents into a winning environment without rushing them or overexposing them. The player’s development is said to be of genuine importance to Forest’s owner, who views Gibbs-White as more than just a financial asset — but a symbol of the club’s recent rise and evolution.

Despite this, the situation remains tense. Tottenham’s interest has triggered concern within Forest’s coaching staff, with reports suggesting that Gibbs-White has been affected mentally by the uncertainty. The midfielder is said to be torn between loyalty to Forest, the pull of European football, and the dream of playing under top-tier managers.

City’s interest, though not as aggressive in public, is being described as “serious” behind closed doors. Guardiola is believed to have asked his recruitment team to monitor the player closely, especially as City look to refresh their midfield options following key departures and injury setbacks in recent seasons.

Marinakis’ preference does not guarantee a deal will be struck with City, however. Financial negotiations, player willingness, and the timing of a formal offer will all play a role. What’s clear is that the Forest boss is determined not to be bullied or rushed into a deal that doesn’t serve the club’s wider interests.

Fans of Nottingham Forest are divided. Some are furious at the idea of losing Gibbs-White, regardless of the destination, fearing the club’s progress will stall without him. Others acknowledge that a move to City, if it brings significant financial return and respect, may be the lesser of all evils in a market driven by power and prestige.

For Gibbs-White himself, the choice may boil down to what vision he sees for his future — an immediate role at Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou, or a more gradual, elite development pathway under Guardiola.

Ultimately, Marinakis’ reported stance reflects a broader truth in modern football: where a player goes matters almost as much as how much they’re sold for. And in this case, prestige, professionalism, and pride are proving more powerful than Premier League rivalry.

The story continues to unfold, but one thing is certain — Marinakis will not be pressured into anything that undermines Nottingham Forest’s growing status or his vision for what the club can become.