Internal pressure mounts on Florentino Perez as Rodri hits €70m price tag

Manchester City’s central midfielder Rodri has been listed as a €70 million target for Real Madrid, a development that has intensified internal pressure on club president Florentino Perez. The proposed fee, reported by Defensa Central, reflects his recent performances and has sparked fresh discussions about his future at the Premier League side.

While Florentino Perez has previously shown little interest in pursuing the Spain international, his performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have reopened the debate inside the club. World Cup displays highlighted his ability to dictate play from deep, prompting a reassessment of his suitability for Madrid’s midfield. Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images.

Rodri’s World Cup displays revive conversation about his transfer prospects. Before the tournament, he was not considered a realistic target because of his age, injury record and contractual situation, which had led Madrid to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements.

However, his contract situation now appears advantageous for the Spanish giants. With only one year remaining on his current deal, some decision‑makers feel Manchester City may be open to negotiating a transfer rather than risk losing him for a reduced fee in the future. This contractual nuance adds urgency to the ongoing talks.

According to Defensa Central, the fee is in the region of €70 million, a realistic valuation given his recent performances. The report cites the figure as a realistic valuation given his recent performances. Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images.

Despite those internal discussions, the report makes it clear that Florentino Perez has not altered his overall assessment. The Madrid president remains cautious, citing concerns about committing a significant fee to a player approaching the latter stages of his career and who has dealt with injury problems. While €70 million is deemed manageable, doubts linger over whether the investment aligns with Rodri’s profile.

For Real Madrid, the price tag and contract window create a narrow window to secure the Spanish midfielder before he departs on a free. For Manchester City, the internal pressure may force a decision to negotiate now rather than risk a reduced return later.