One of Manchester City’s most influential players is set to sign a new contract ‘in the not-too-distant future’, with the club extremely pleased with what he is doing right now.
A string of players have enjoyed terrific seasons once again at the Etihad Stadium.
Phil Foden has perhaps been the star of the show with his incredible 32 goal contributions from midfielder.
But it has also been another stellar campaign for Rodri, who is City’s most important player in the eyes of many fans.
The club have lost four games this season and Rodri was not available for any of those defeats, showing his importance. City did go out of the Champions League last week to Real Madrid, but that was via a penalty shootout.
It was reported recently that City were keen to get Rodri signed up to a new contract and the club want to move him towards the top earners.
Manchester City News spoke to transfer expert Graeme Bailey for the latest on the Spaniard’s situation
Rodri new contract ‘will get done’ with Manchester City delighted with their ‘captain in all but name’
Rodri has made 43 appearances for City so far this season, scoring eight goals and laying on 12 assists for teammates.
20 goal contributions for a defensive midfielder is remarkable going, and just shows what a complete player he is these days.
It is little wonder that it has been reported that City want to hand him a new deal and make him one of the top earners. Apparently, the club would be prepared to pay him around £300,000 per week. At the moment, only Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva are on more than that.
Manchester City News was keen to find out more about the current situation with Rodri, and spoke with transfer expert Graeme Bailey to see where things are at.
He told us: “He’s one on the to-do list for the summer. He will get done, they’re not massively worried by that (situation). They’ve got quite a lot of things to do this summer.
“They see him as being a big part of their future going forwards. I don’t see that as an issue tying him down long-term in the not-too-distant future.”
Manchester City News then asked Bailey if he felt there was any possibility of Rodri being poached by another club -particularly the two Spanish giants – or wanting out, to which he said: “At that age, I don’t think. Especially Madrid, with Camavinga and Tchouameni, I think they’re pretty well covered.
“You never rule Barcelona out. They always like that sort of player. I think he’d be more of a Barcelona fit in theory. Never say never, there may come a point where Rodri wants to go back to Spain. But as it stands, my understanding is he’s very, very happy at City. He’s captain in all but name, from what I’m told. He’s a leading light. They see him as a future captain, and they see him as a future statue as well.”
Rodri could be City for many years to come
Rodri is coming to the end of his fifth season at City and what a signing he has turned out to be.
City were facing a potential issue when Fernandinho’s career was winding down and the club needed a long-term replacement. But Rodri – recently described as one of the best holding midfielders in the world by Yves Bissouma – has stepped into the Brazilian shoes brilliantly and in all honestly he will probably surpass his predecessor’s legacy at the Etihad.
It sounds as though City don’t feel too concerned about Rodri’s contract situation for the moment. The player’s current deal is active until the summer of 2027 so there is no rush.
But it would be absolutely welcome news if that extension was agreed this summer.
Clearly, he is absolutely adored at the club, and you would imagine he’s going to be sticking around for a long time.
