Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

The best Samsung fitness trackers in 2024

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Where's Tuchel?! England are wasting time without new boss

FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024: Tickets set to go live

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Mbappe-Deschamps dispute rumours threaten to derail France

Jones exactly what England need as Carsley does Tuchel big favour

Should he stay or should he go? Miami's Luis Suarez dilemma

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Rodri wins Ballon d'Or</li><li>Wanted by Real Madrid</li><li>Man City want to tie him to new deal</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Man City hatch 'anti-Real Madrid plan' as they bid to keep Ballon d'Or winner Rodri out of clutches of La Liga giants after he emerged as Carlo Ancelotti's top target

Premier League

Tottenham

LaLiga

Leganes

Real Madrid

<p>According to <a href="https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2024/10/31/el-manchester-city-inicia-su-plan-anti-real-madrid-con-rodri-cadena-ser/" target="_blank">Cadena SER</a> and journalist Anton Meana, City want to extend the midfielder's contract before the end of the season and are optimistic they can achieve this goal. The report adds that after his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/official-rodri-wins-ballon-d-or-beating-real-madrid-superstar-vinicius-jr-to-biggest-individual-award-in-football/bltf74941fa191d49cd" target="_blank">Ballon d'Or win,</a> the Citizens feel they are still growing and this individual triumph is part of that process. But the 'shadow' of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rodri-emerges-real-madrid-priority-transfer-target-2025-man-city-star-stalling-contract-extension-etihad-stadium/bltc2355fb8e1c43ec7#csc65224fb659b9671" target="_blank">Real Madrid's interest</a> does worry the defending Premier League champions.</p><p></p><p></p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The Spain international has been earmarked as a top target for Madrid in 2025 but with his contract running until 2027, he will not be available on the cheap. The 28-year-old, who is currently out for the season with an <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/crushing-blow-man-city-rodri-acl-injury-rest-of-season-over-arsenal-premier-league/blt98646a8967a2434c" target="_blank">anterior cruciate ligament injury</a>, is a huge player for Pep Guardiola's men, he has helped them win a hatful of trophies, and even though he is currently sidelined - City want to extend his deal as soon as possible.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Since Rodri signed for City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, the Spain international has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. He has also scored 26 goals and bagged 30 assists in 260 appearances. </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>While former Villarreal player Rodri continues his rehab, his City side travel to in-form Bournemouth on Saturday, looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League. </p>

WHAT NEXT?

Man City hatch 'anti-Real Madrid plan' as they bid to keep Ballon d'Or winner Rodri out of clutches of La Liga giants after he emerged as Carlo Ancelotti's top target | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Manchester City are reportedly trying to tie Rodri down to a new contract as part of an &apos;anti-Real Madrid plan&apos;.

Man City hatch &apos;anti-Real Madrid plan&apos; as they bid to keep Ballon d&apos;Or winner Rodri out of clutches of La Liga giants after he emerged as Carlo Ancelotti&apos;s top target