The Madrid midfielder has been named the best player of the World Cup after leading Spain to the title. His outstanding performance reopens the option for him to join the white club, which is looking for a brain in midfield.
Rodrigo Hernández's performance at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico has been so outstanding that it has reopened the debate about his possible arrival at Real Madrid. The 30-year-old midfielder has been named MVP of the tournament after leading the Spanish national team to its second World Cup title, and his future at Manchester City, where his contract expires in 2027, has become the centre of attention.
The player, born in Madrid, completed a tournament that saw him rise from strength to strength until he became the linchpin of the champion team. His performance has led to an increase in technical reports at the white club, identifying him as the ideal piece to strengthen the midfield, an area that has not found a similar helm since the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
According to sources close to Real Madrid, the club's management views Rodri's profile very positively, both for his quality and for the market price he could command. There is talk of a possible offer of up to 60 million euros, part of which would be in variables, although from Valdebebas, there has not yet been a formal contact with the player.
For its part, Manchester City denies having received any official proposal. Sources from the English club consulted by the Madrid press assert that everything being published is a result of the player's great World Cup, but that there is nothing concrete on the table. However, the fact that Rodri has not renewed his contract, which expires in June 2027, fuels speculation.
The player himself has stated on several occasions that he would not make a decision about his future until after the World Cup, and now that the tournament has ended, movements are expected in the coming weeks. The possibility of returning to his hometown is a factor that the player has not hidden, and Real Madrid, aware of this, could accelerate negotiations.
The interest from Real Madrid is not new. Even before the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in September 2024, which kept him sidelined for almost the entire last season, the white club had shown admiration for the midfielder. His recovery and subsequent display at the World Cup have dispelled doubts about his physical condition.
The need for Real Madrid in midfield is evident. Following Kroos's retirement and Modric's departure, the team has lacked a player capable of dictating the tempo and distributing play with the precision that characterised both. Rodri, with his vision of the game, recovery ability, and leadership, would fit perfectly into that role.
From an economic standpoint, the operation would not be straightforward. Manchester City is not willing to let their star go for a low price, and Real Madrid will need to negotiate carefully to avoid destabilising their finances. However, the possibility of Rodri arriving for free in 2027 if he does not renew, or of City accepting an offer in January to avoid losing him without compensation, plays in favour of the white club's interests.
For now, the player's entourage prefers to maintain caution. Rodri has stated on several occasions that he feels happy in Manchester, but he has not closed the door on a return home. The affection of the Madrid fans and the club's sporting project could be decisive in tipping the balance.
In the coming weeks, Real Madrid is expected to activate formal contacts. Meanwhile, white fans dream of seeing Rodri in white next season, as part of a project aimed at regaining dominance in Europe and Spain.
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