Newly appointed Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has made his stance unequivocally clear regarding the club’s pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Mourinho Orders Real Madrid Board: ‘Get Me Rodri at All Costs’
The Portuguese manager has personally requested that club president Florentino Perez secure the signing of the World Cup-winning Spanish international this summer.
According to journalist Roberto Gomez, speaking on Radio MARCA, Mourinho has left no room for doubt about his intentions.
“Rodri is an explicit request from José Mourinho,” Gómez confirmed.
“Mourinho wants Rodri at all costs. He has told the Real Madrid president that he wants, undoubtedly, Rodri”.
The 30-year-old midfielder has emerged as a prime target for Los Blancos following his outstanding campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he earned the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Rodri’s performances anchored Spain’s midfield en route to glory, prompting influential figures within Real Madrid’s hierarchy to reconsider their stance on a player they had previously been hesitant to pursue.
Rodri’s current contract with Manchester City expires in 12 months, placing the Premier League champions in a precarious position.
City have reportedly set a €100 million price tag for their star midfielder, though Real Madrid could potentially secure the Spaniard for a reduced fee given his contractual situation.
The player himself is understood to be open to returning to his home country.
While the Real Madrid board remains cautious about the midfielder’s age and recent injury history, Mourinho views Rodri as the ideal profile to fill the void left by Toni Kroos’ retirement.
The Portuguese coach has already overseen four major summer signings but continues to urge the hierarchy to complete what he considers a priority addition.
Senior Madrid executives, including director general Jose Angel Sánchez and chief scout Juni Calafat, have reportedly warmed to the prospect of bringing the Ballon d’Or winner back to Spain.
With the club already having performed similar about-turns on other transfer targets this summer, a move for Rodri appears increasingly plausible.
The coming weeks will prove decisive in determining whether Mourinho gets his wish and Rodri trades the Etihad for the Santiago Bernabeu.
