Manchester City make contact with Real Madrid forward as Pep Guardiola awaits green light for transfer | OneFootball

Manchester City have initiated contact with Rodrygo’s representatives as the Real Madrid forward mulls on his future ahead of the summer transfer window, as per a new report.

City are expected to be busy in the transfer market after a disappointing season that saw them exit the UEFA Champions League at the Round of 16 stage whilst failing to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title.

Hugo Viana will take over from Txiki Begiristain as director of football in the near future and the Portuguese is set to back Pep Guardiola heavily in the transfer market to rebuild and go out on all fronts again next term.

Manchester City have been linked with a sensational swoop for Real Madrid winger Rodrgyo, who has suffered a collateral impact in the La Liga giants’ frontline as a result of Kylian Mbappe’s arrival to the club.

Rodrygo starred for Real Madrid against Manchester City with a set of late goals in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2022, forcing the tie to extra time as Guardiola’s side capitulated and crashed out to a resolute Real Madrid force.

The 24-year-old Brazil international has established himself as one of Europe’s most feared wide attackers and despite taking a relative make-shift under Carlo Ancelotti this season, Rodrgyo could be set to follow the legendary manager through the exit door in the summer.

This week, Ancelotti has confirmed he is taking the Brazil National Team managerial role as Xabi Alonso returns to Madrid after a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, which has cast further doubt on Rodrygo’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu.

As reported by Sport and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City and Chelsea have made contact with Rodrgyo’s representatives as they wait for the Real Madrid forward to make a firm decision on his future as the season comes to a close.

Rodrygo is said to have been ‘singled out’ by Ancelotti’s coaching staff in recent months and has barely featured since Real Madrid’s Copa Del Rey final defeat to Barcelona at the end of April, with club president Florentino Perez believed to be ready to sell the winger for the right price.

It remains to be seen what the coming months hold for Rodrygo, who has also attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League, but with Manchester City heavily stocked in the attacking positions, it remains unlikely at present the 2023 treble winners will prioritise the acquisition of another winger.

Jack Grealish is expected to leave on loan in the summer transfer window after struggling for minutes in the last two campaigns and Manchester City are understood to be focussed in their efforts to bolster their midfield and defence – with Guardiola eyeing four to five first-team additions ahead of the 2025-26 season.