Manchester City transfer news: Rodri to Real Madrid ‘dashed’ as major injury update comes to light

After leading Spain to World Cup glory this summer, Rodri looked destined to become one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market, with long-standing links to Real Madrid gathering pace.

However, any hopes of the Manchester City midfielder returning to his homeland this summer appear to have suffered a significant setback following a major injury update.

Rodri transfer news: Real Madrid move dealt major blow

Rodri captained Spain to their second World Cup title earlier this month, lifting the trophy after a 1-0 victory in the final against Argentina while also being awarded the tournament's Golden Ball following a string of outstanding performances.

The 30-year-old has never hidden his ambition of one day returning to Spain and has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid throughout the summer.

While Los Blancos were initially thought to have little interest in pursuing a deal, reports from L'Equipe suggested their stance had softened following the World Cup, with the Spanish giants considering a move for the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner.

However, according to The Athletic, those transfer hopes have now been dealt a major blow after it emerged that Rodri is due to undergo surgery on a back injury this summer.

The report states that the Manchester City midfielder is expected to go under the knife in the coming weeks, although no timeframe has yet been confirmed for his return.

It represents another frustrating setback for Rodri, who has endured an injury-hit period over the last two seasons after rupturing his ACL before suffering several complications during his recovery.

With the Spaniard now facing another spell on the sidelines, any prospect of Real Madrid making a significant investment this summer appears to have been all but ruled out.

Rodri is entering the final year of his Manchester City contract and is currently set to become a free agent in June 2027, meaning Europe's biggest clubs could instead wait until next summer should a renewal fail to materialise.

FW verdict: Injury changes everything

Had Rodri returned from the World Cup fully fit, Real Madrid may well have been tempted to test Manchester City's resolve with a substantial offer.

Instead, another serious injury concern dramatically alters the situation.

Given his recent fitness record, it would be a huge gamble for any club to commit significant money this summer, especially with the midfielder entering the final year of his contract.

If Rodri can recover successfully and prove his fitness over the coming months, interest from Real Madrid and other European heavyweights is unlikely to disappear. For now, though, any move back to Spain looks firmly on hold.