Manchester City face Rodri uncertainty but Elliot Anderson move gathers pace

[p]The prospect of star midfield player Rodri having his head turned by interest from Madrid has always been [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]City[/a]’s main concern in discussions over a new contract.[/p][p]At the same time, however, they have been pressing ahead with their midfield planning and continue to lead the race for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/anderson-elliott/KdYCbsbE/"]Elliot Anderson[/a], as [a href="https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-premier-league-man-city-allegedly-in-pole-position-to-sign-elliot-anderson-ahead-of-rivals-man-utd/lleGj5df/"]previously revealed by Flashscore[/a].[/p][p]Expectations are growing that a deal with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nottingham/UsushcZr/"]Nottingham Forest[/a] can be reached for the £100m-rated England international. Initial contacts are open, and Anderson is viewed as part of a rebuild in midfield, with the club also exploring the addition of at least one more player in that area.[/p][p][b]The planning comes amid fresh uncertainty around [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rodri/K0G8DB00/"]Rodri[/a]. Sources confirm City have begun talks over a new deal, but there has been no significant progress, and his latest comments will only add to any concern.[/b][/p][p]Rodri has admitted he would “like to come back” to Spain one day and did little to distance himself from a move back to his city of birth.[/p][p]Rodri previously played for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atl-madrid/jaarqpLQ/"]Atletico Madrid[/a], but left the door open for a move to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a], saying: “There have been many players who’ve gone down that path. For me, you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.”[/p][embed guid="1ce5adce-c8b4-482d-96cd-9c47eef6db7e" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2036961190874694135" social-type="twitter" /][p]Rodri is not understood to be pushing for a move at this stage and appears undecided about his next step, leaving City hopeful they can convince him to stay.[/p][p]However, with his contract running until 2027 and no agreement in place, the prospect of a move is alive - whether in the summer or when his deal expires.[/p][p]Sources note that there is always the possibility Madrid will opt to wait rather than act immediately. The Spanish club have shown a willingness to allow contracts to run down and could position themselves for a future free transfer, as seen in the situation of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alexander-arnold-trent/CEVJy6Bc/"]Trent Alexander-Arnold[/a].[/p][p]City’s recruitment drive suggests they are preparing for all outcomes.[/p][p][b]Alongside their ongoing push for Anderson, they are considering further midfield additions, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tonali-sandro/fmQVO5TQ/"]Sandro Tonali[/a] recently mentioned. They are also long-term admirers of his [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/newcastle-utd/p6ahwuwJ/"]Newcastle United[/a] teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bruno-guimaraes/xtyKanzU/"]Bruno Guimaraes[/a].[/b][/p][p]As it stands, City are intent on pushing forward with their summer plans while waiting for clarity from Rodri. [/p][p][a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EnssfbFWPSnoGccEAkbtO?si=jLfqa5LLRYCciRxzCCoA8Q" target="_blank"][b]Listen to the audio version of this article on Spotify[/b][/a][/p][image alt="Dean Jones" id="0f685dd0-10a2-43d8-9966-361f00f7203c" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="c9a76f3f-eebb-4d36-8cae-fe2d2c5a8656" original-width="1200" original-height="380" /]