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Real Madrid’s Man City plan changes: 'Global phenomenon' Nico O’Reilly targeted
Robin Bairner
- 5 Mar 2026 07:46 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Real Madrid are poised to ditch their interest in Rodri and instead target his Manchester City team-mate Nico O’Reilly, according to a report from Spain.
Rodri has been a long-time target of the Bernabeu club, but a serious injury to the Spain international last season put them off making a move last summer.
Compared
Rodri
DM, M (C)
Man City
Rodri
DM, M (C)
Man City
VS
Nico O'Reilly
D (L)
Man City
Nico O'Reilly
D (L)
Man City
|
|
ETV |
|
| €81.7M - €99.9M | ETV Range | €41.1M - €50.3M |
| 29 years old (22 Jun, 1996) | Age | 20 years old (21 Mar, 2005) |
|
Spain
|
Nationality |
England
|
Now it appears that such a deal might never happen at all, with Sport reporting that Los Blancos are not interested in meeting Man City’s €60 million asking price for the player.
Real Madrid’s interest in the Etihad club, though, is undiminished, with O’Reilly emerging as a major target.
Nico O’Reilly: The next global phenomenon?
Nico O’Reilly is a transfer target for Real Madrid, with the 20-year-old Englishman earmarked as “the next global phenomenon” by the management of the Spanish club, according to Fichajes.
He is further described as a player with “unprecedented force” and an “ideal candidate” to strengthen the club’s ranks.
Real Madrid are particularly impressed by the player’s versatility. He has been used both as a left-back and an attacking midfielder by Pep Guardiola with some success this season.
No coach, no problem for Real Madrid
Having no permanent coach is not an impediment to this deal for Real Madrid, the report stresses. Indeed, it seems to be added motivation for the Spaniards to get the deal done and ensure that any incoming manager arrives with “solid foundations”.
Jurgen Klopp continues to be heavily linked with the job, while Massimiliano Allegri is the latest name tipped to become Real Madrid’s next coach as it is believed he has the personality to deal with the stars at the club, Corriere dello Sport reports.
Will Nico O’Reilly join Real Madrid?
Nico O’Reilly, meanwhile, will not come cheap. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €45.7m but is rising fast, reflective of the explosive impact that he has enjoyed since breaking into Manchester City’s first team.
Data analytics experts SciSports also believe he will become a star. He has the potential to hold down a regular spot in Man City’s first team, according to its analysis, but at Real Madrid he could develop into a key player.
Guardiola’s side will not, therefore, give in willingly to interest from their Champions League rivals.
O’Reilly is under contract until 2030, and despite his comparatively modest ETV, it will take something extraordinary for Real Madrid to lure him away from Manchester City.
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