Real Madrid “Working on a Deal” for Rodri, Reports Ornstein. Fresh World Cup Glory Sparks Transfer U-Turn For Spanish Midfielder.

July 25, 2026
Real Madrid have reignited one of the summer’s biggest transfer storylines, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting that the Spanish giants are now working on a deal to sign Manchester City and Spain captain Rodri. The report, published alongside Athletic colleague Mario Cortegana, marks a significant shift for a club that had previously ruled the midfielder out of its recruitment plans earlier in the summer.

What David Ornstein Reported
According to Ornstein, Real Madrid and Manchester City have not yet entered club-to-club talks, but Los Blancos are “now operating on the basis” that Rodri will join the club this summer. On the other side, City are said to still hope the Spain captain stays at the Etihad, with or without a new contract, as his current deal is set to expire next summer, leaving the club with limited leverage.

The report represents a total reversal of Madrid’s earlier summer strategy. Sources at the Bernabéu had repeatedly insisted throughout the early part of the window that Rodri was not part of the club’s recruitment plans, even as the player was known to have made his admiration for Real Madrid clear during international breaks earlier this year. Florentino Pérez is now understood to have changed his stance, with figures at the club increasingly convinced that signing the 30-year-old is a necessity rather than a luxury.

A World Cup That Changed Madrid’s Stance

The timing of Madrid’s shift is no coincidence. Rodri has just come off arguably the finest tournament of his career, captaining Spain to their second World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in the final in New Jersey. He was subsequently named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner as the best player of the 2026 World Cup, edging out Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé despite not registering a single goal or assist across the competition.

The numbers behind his campaign were described by data analysts Squawka as historically unique as Rodri led the tournament in touches, successful passes, tackles attempted, and tackles won, becoming the only player at the 2026 World Cup to top all five tracked statistical categories simultaneously. His 756 completed passes were reported as the most by any player at a single World Cup on record dating back to 1966, underpinning a Spain defense that conceded just one goal across eight matches.

The achievement completed a remarkable comeback for Rodri, who ruptured his ACL in September 2024 only weeks after winning the Ballon d’Or, and who has now become just the 11th player in history to win the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or.

Reflecting on the personal journey behind the triumph, Rodri said: “We’re a bit shocked right now, even myself. I cannot express with words.” He added that the current Spain squad’s growth since their 2024 European Championship win had been central to the achievement, describing a “generation that is making history for our country.”

City’s Position
Manchester City’s situation is complicated by more than just the transfer speculation. New head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed Rodri will undergo back surgery in the coming week, even as he expressed confidence the club can retain their World Cup-winning midfielder for the 2026-27 campaign. Maresca has repeatedly stressed that Rodri remains central to his tactical plans at the Etihad, with City executives said to remain in active dialogue with the player’s camp over his long-term future.

That said, City’s leverage is limited. With just one year left on his contract and Rodri reportedly open to the move, reports elsewhere have suggested the player is “pushing” for a transfer to the Bernabéu, with Pérez yet to give a final green light internally as the club weighs up valuation and timing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as talks progress