Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City will not stand in Rodri’s way if he wants to join Real Madrid and says he won’t follow Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior’s example and suspend a player for refusing to rule out a transfer to the Spanish giants.
Rosenior revealed on Friday that Enzo Fernández will miss Chelsea’s next two games because the midfielder “crossed a line” with comments made during the international break about a potential move to Santiago Bernabeu.
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Rodri did something similar, saying that you “can’t rule out the best clubs in the world” when asked during an interview in Spain about possibly playing for Real Madrid.
But Guardiola says Rodri will remain available to feature for City and, despite wanting the midfielder to stay at the Etihad Stadium, understands the lure of the Spanish capital.
“What Chelsea has done is Chelsea,” said Guardiola when asked whether Rodri will face a suspension similar to that imposed on Fernández.
“There is not one player that will turn down the chance to play for Madrid, he was born in Spain.
“Always my wish is that Rodri could stay as long as possible in this club and because he’s an incredible, top player, but the life of everyone is everyone’s.
“The organisation of the club is above all of us. If one player is not happy they have to leave. Continue the same always if they are happy, and I think he is happy.
“If he is not happy just knock on the door of the sporting director, accept an offer according to his incredible quality and after that he doesn’t belong to the club — only himself.”
Rodri will enter the final year of his contract at City over the summer with his current deal set to expire in 2027.
City are keen to reach a fresh agreement with the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner and Guardiola insists talks are a priority for director of football Hugo Viana.
“I know what the club wants,” said Guardiola
“They informed me what they want from Rodri — it is to stay, stay, stay.
“I think [Rodri wants to stay]. Always I had the positive [feeling] with that but at the end I don’t know.”
