Manchester City are interested in Real Madrid forward Rodrygo have reportedly been given the green light to reignite their pursuit as the Brazilian expected to leave the Santiago Bernabéu next summer.
Despite being regarded as one of Madrid’s brightest young attackers, Rodrygo’s future appears uncertain after a frustrating start to the season that has seen him slip further down the pecking order.
The 24-year-old has featured in only two of Real Madrid’s nine La Liga matches this term, a stark contrast to his prominence in previous campaigns.
His reduced game time comes amid fierce competition from star forwards Vinícius Júnior and summer signing Kylian Mbappé, who have cemented their positions in Xabi Alonso’s attacking setup.
Adding to Rodrygo’s challenge is the rise of 17-year-old sensation Franco Mastantuono, whose breakthrough has limited opportunities even further.
Rodrygo’s struggles to secure consistent minutes have reportedly reignited interest from the Premier League, where several clubs—most notably Manchester City—are monitoring his situation closely.
City were strongly linked with the Brazilian during the last transfer window, and reports in Spain suggest Pep Guardiola remains a keen admirer of the winger.
According to Estadio Deportivo, City had explored an €80 million move for Rodrygo during the summer, contingent on the possible sale of young forward Savinho. However, neither transaction materialised before the window closed.
Now, multiple reports claim that Manchester City are interested in Real Madrid forward Rodrygo with uncertainty surrounding his long-term role at the Spanish club.
Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that a number of Premier League clubs have maintained contact over a potential move, encouraged by his diminishing status in the Spanish capital.
While Rodrygo has publicly maintained his loyalty to Real Madrid, insisting that he intends to stay “as long as the club want him,” the report indicates that Los Blancos may have already mapped out a timeline for his departure.
According to the publication, Madrid’s internal plan envisions a sale in 2026—two years before the expiration of Rodrygo’s current contract in 2028.
The rationale behind this would be to cash in while his market value remains high, with Transfermarkt estimating him at around €80 million. Yet growing competition for places may accelerate that timeline, particularly with the Brazilian’s influence appearing to wane.
Real Madrid’s attacking depth has never been greater. Vinícius and Mbappé, both close in age to Rodrygo, are integral to Alonso’s plans and are expected to remain at the club for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, emerging talents such as Arda Güler and Franco Mastantuono, coupled with Brahim Díaz’s steady performances, have left Rodrygo fighting for relevance in a squad packed with offensive options.
City’s interest in Rodrygo aligns with Pep Guardiola’s preference for versatile, technically gifted forwards who can operate across multiple attacking positions. The Brazilian fits that mould perfectly—capable of playing on either wing or in a central attacking role.
Guardiola’s admiration reportedly stems from Rodrygo’s combination of pace, close control, and tactical intelligence, qualities that have made him one of Brazil’s most promising exports in recent years.
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During his time at Madrid, Rodrygo has delivered on several big occasions—most memorably in the Champions League, where he has scored crucial goals that helped the club secure European glory.
However, with Mbappé and Vinícius commanding the spotlight, his chances of consistent first-team action have dwindled. Sources close to the club suggest that unless something changes drastically, next summer could mark the end of his time in Spain.
A transfer to the Premier League would also appeal to Rodrygo personally, according to reports. The English top flight has long been seen as a stage for global stars to enhance their profile, and the opportunity to work under Guardiola could prove irresistible.
City, for their part, view the deal as a strategic investment for the future—one that would ensure continued dominance in domestic and European competitions.
