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Real Madrid one step away from signing Rodri - but it's a big one
Updated: 4 Aug 2026 17:28 BST |
4 min read
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Real Madrid are expected to sign Rodri provided Manchester City are able to land Ayyoub Bouaddi as his replacement, according to reports in Spain.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported in July that La Liga giants Real were “operating on the basis” that Rodri would join them this summer.
Spanish outlet Libertad Digital have since corroborated that report, saying Real are ready to pay between €65million and €75m (£55.6m and £64.2m) for the midfielder.
The same publication claims Rodri - who captained Spain to World Cup glory last month - will sign a four-year deal with Jose Mourinho’s side.
Libertad Digital understands the deal will go through if Man City are able to sign Morocco international Bouaddi from Ligue 1 outfit Lille.
The Athletic claims Enzo Maresca’s side are keen to sign the teen sensation, 18, who is reportedly valued at around €100m (£85m).
Like Rodri, Bouaddi also caught the eye at the World Cup, helping Morocco reach the quarter-finals in North America.
Lille president says Man City are yet to match Bouaddi's asking price
Lille president Olivier Letang insists Man City are yet to match their valuation for Bouaddi, who has made 96 appearances since emerging through the French club's youth academy.
In quotes carried by French outlet RMC Sport, Letang said: “Ayyoub's situation is exactly as I described it before, nothing has changed.”
And in a clear nod to Man City, Letang added: “I have been saying this for weeks, there is no interested club that has reached a final agreement with us, and it is genuinely astonishing how certain rumours have spread about a swap deal with a club that wears light blue.
“Yes, concrete offers have been submitted, but they were not satisfactory, because Ayyoub is an extremely important player for us. The only truth today is that Bouaddi is 100 per cent a Lille player.”
As Lille continue to dig their heels in over Bouaddi, Real are being forced to wait for Rodri ahead of the 2026-27 La Liga season.
The Bernabeu club have so far signed Marc Cucurella, Carlos Espi, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate following Mourinho's return as head coach.
Rodri has helped Man City dominate English football in recent years
Rodri joined Man City from Atletico Madrid in July 2019 and he has made 298 appearances for the club, scoring 28 goals.
The 30-year-old played a huge role in City dominating English football under previous manager Pep Guardiola, winning 13 trophies at the Etihad Stadium.
Rodri won the Ballon d’Or in 2024 after helping City become just the second English team to win the treble in 2022-23, while also leading Spain to victory at Euro 2024.
He has won 70 caps for Spain and helped them win the Nations League in 2023, before the successes at Euro 2024 and this summer's World Cup.
