City's Rodri Dilemma: Real Madrid Circles as Elliott Anderson Sparks a Potential Swap Rumor
4 March 2026
City's Rodri Contract Dilemma
City won't let its star walk away for free. A press report on Wednesday outlined Manchester City's plan for Spanish midfielder Rodri amid talk that he could depart after this season.
The Sun reported that there are only 15 months left on Rodri's deal with City, meaning they will face a big decision this summer if he won't agree to a new contract.
Madrid Circles and the Elliott Anderson Link
Rodri will be 30 this summer, and City risks losing him for nothing in 2027 if he enters the final year of his contract.
Real Madrid are watching the player closely and would love to bring him back home to finish the final years of his career.
Pep Guardiola also uses Bernardo Silva as a holding midfielder at times, and his future remains uncertain.
His contract ends this summer, and it’s expected to mark the end of nine remarkable years for him at the club, but Guardiola would love to persuade him to stay in England for another decade.
The newspaper said discussions between Rodri and City could pave the way for Elliott Anderson, the Nottingham Forest midfielder, to move to the Etihad Stadium next summer.
Guardiola had a chance to see the 23-year-old England international up close when Nottingham Forest hosted Manchester City on Wednesday evening.
City are one of several clubs linked with the 100 million pound midfielder, who is also said to be of interest to Manchester United.
There are insiders at the Etihad who remain fans of the former Newcastle United star who seems set to leave City Ground this summer.
But for now, there is plenty of depth in his position, so no changes will happen unless parts of the squad move, meaning Rodri's exit could trigger deals immediately.
Also read: Rodri would prefer Barcelona to Real Madrid.
Punchline 1: If Rodri leaves for free, City might finally learn what 'free' really means—it's a calendar, not a transfer fee.
Punchline 2: When it comes to contract talks, clocks tick faster than the jokes in this section.
