Manchester City are reportedly preparing to table a bumper new contract offer for their midfield linchpin, Rodri, as part of a strategic effort to fend off Real Madrid’s sustained interest, according to Goal.com.

City see this new deal as pivotal to retaining one of Pep Guardiola’s most essential players, who is in line to become the second best paid player at the club after Erling Haaland.

Last September, during a Premier League fixture against Arsenal, Rodri suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament that sidelined him for the bulk of the 2024–25 campaign. He returned for the penultimate league match against AFC Bournemouth and subsequently flew to the United States to participate in the Club World Cup. Impressed with Rodri's commitment, City are set to offer him a new deal that will run through the summer of 2029, effectively shutting the door on any potential transfer to Real Madrid in the near future, as revealed by Fabrizio Romano.

City are eager to avoid a scenario where Rodri enters the final two seasons of his existing deal without clarity over his intentions, especially with Real Madrid lurking. Historically, the club have acted decisively to retain their core players, and in Rodri’s case, they are especially conscious of his value on and off the pitch.

Inside the Etihad corridors, there is a shared belief that Rodri is not just a generational talent but also a natural candidate to one day wear the captain’s armband. As the team continues to evolve and prepare for Pep Guardiola’s eventual departure, Rodri’s maturity, professionalism, and consistency are seen as vital anchors.

Though Real Madrid have been persistent admirers of Rodri, and may revisit their plans as soon as 2026, City are optimistic that this new proposal will be enough to keep him away from Los Blancos. However, the final decision rests solely with the player, and it remains to be seen whether the 29-year-old will commit his peak years to the Cityzens or leave for a fresh challenge at the Santiago Bernabeu.