​Real Madrid working to sign Manchester City midfield general with renewal talks not progressingIn a major development, David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Real Madrid have launched an operation to sign Manchester City’s midfield anchor Rodri, dramatically shifting their summer transfer strategy to secure the newly crowned World Cup winner. Formal club-to-club negotiations between the Spanish heavyweights and the Premier League giants have yet to officially take place.But those at Valdebebas are growing increasingly confident that a definitive agreement can be reached. The board is currently operating under the firm assumption that the Spain international will be joining the club before the conclusion of the summer window.U-Turn driven by World Cup gloryThe sudden pursuit represents a total reversal of Madrid’s previous market planning. Throughout the early months of the summer, sources at the Bernabeu repeatedly insisted that Rodri was not part of their recruitment strategy. However, the club’s stance completely transformed following the midfielder’s return from the FIFA World Cup in North America.Real Madrid step up Rodri pursuit. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)Rodri’s unparalleled performance levels and his pivotal role in captaining Luis de la Fuente’s side to back-to-back major tournament trophies heavily influenced Florentino Perez’s decision to sanction a move. Starting and captaining his country across all eight matches, his exceptional tournament culminated in him lifting the prestigious Golden Ball after Spain defeated Argentina in a dramatic final.Pressure on Man CityFor Manchester City, the situation represents an escalating crisis during a period of massive structural transition. New manager Enzo Maresca remains determined to keep the 30-year-old at the heart of his tactical plans for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign, and City executives remain in active dialogue with the player’s camp over his long-term future.However, their leverage is rapidly diminishing. Rodri has officially entered the final 12 months of his contract, which runs until June 2027. No interest in renewing his contract. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Despite City’s persistent efforts to schedule high-level extension talks immediately after the World Cup, the player has so far shown little to no desire to renew his deal in England. The allure of a homecomingThe move to the Bernabeu aligns perfectly with Rodri’s long-standing personal and professional ambitions. The midfield general has frequently spoken about his profound desire to return to his home country before the end of his playing career, openly acknowledging the unique prestige associated with wearing the white shirt.“Would I like to play in Spain again, in La Liga, in Madrid? I would like to return, yes, obviously,” Rodri candidly told reporters during the March international break.While a looming surgery to resolve a persistent back issue adds a layer of medical c