Real Madrid prepared to wait for Man City star Rodri as Spanish giants hope to snap up midfielder in bargain deal after missing out on Arsenal-bound Martin Zubimendi

According to AS, Madrid appear to have lost the race for Zubimendi, who is on the verge of joining Arsenal. Despite late efforts to convince the player, the Gunners are relaxed and confident, having agreed to pay his €60 million (£50m/$69m) release clause and offering a significantly higher salary. With the deal nearly finalised, Los Blancos have started exploring alternatives.

The club is now weighing whether to stick with their current crop, including Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde or look at big targets for the future. One standout option is Rodri, but any move would be delayed until 2026, when he enters the final year of his City contract, making a potential deal more affordable.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has become one of the best players in world football. He played a pivotal role in City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season, scoring the only goal in the Champions League final against Inter. Despite not being a flashy player, his consistency and tactical intelligence have drawn comparisons to legendary midfielders like Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso.

La Liga giants Madrid are expected to closely monitor Rodri’s situation at City, especially after the 2025 Club World Cup. If the Spaniard doesn't renew his contract by 2026, Madrid could try to secure a cut-price deal.