Manchester City are moving quickly behind the scenes to secure the future of one of their most crucial players — Rodri Hernández, the Spanish midfield general who has become the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s side. According to fresh reports, the club is now actively working on finalising a contract renewal for the 28-year-old as a top priority.
Since arriving at the Etihad in 2019 from Atlético Madrid, Rodri has grown into arguably the best defensive midfielder in world football. His consistency, intelligence, and ability to control games have made him an indispensable part of City’s domestic and European dominance in recent years.
Club officials see Rodri’s future as non-negotiable, especially with the player entering the prime years of his career. He played a key role in City’s historic treble-winning season and continues to deliver match-winning performances, including the Champions League final goal against Inter Milan in 2023.
It’s understood that negotiations are already underway, with the club hoping to wrap things up “as soon as possible.” City want to reward Rodri not just for his past achievements but also to protect his long-term future amid interest from other top European clubs.
The current deal runs until 2027, but City are reportedly looking to extend and improve his terms, potentially adding two more years and offering a significant wage increase to reflect his importance to the squad.
Sources close to the player suggest that Rodri is happy in Manchester and open to staying, especially under the guidance of Guardiola. The club’s ambition, consistency in silverware, and long-term planning align with his personal goals.
Rodri’s role at City cannot be overstated. His absence is often felt sharply, as seen in the rare games he misses. Guardiola has repeatedly stated that Rodri is “irreplaceable” in his system, capable of dictating the pace of the game and shielding the back line with exceptional tactical awareness.
The urgency to finalise the renewal also comes amid growing financial power in the Saudi Pro League and continued market turbulence across Europe. Locking down Rodri is seen as a message of stability and commitment to retaining top talent at the club.
City are also looking at other key renewals, but Rodri’s is now top of the agenda. With Kevin De Bruyne entering the final stages of his career and İlkay Gündoğan having left for Barcelona, Rodri represents the core of the team’s current and future midfield structure.
The new contract could make Rodri one of the highest-paid players at the club — a deserved position given his influence and reliability. Talks are progressing positively, and fans can expect an official announcement in the coming weeks if everything goes to plan.
In an era where players are increasingly lured by massive paydays elsewhere, Manchester City are determined to ensure that their most important players remain at the Etihad — and Rodri is right at the top of that lis