City reinforce midfield while Rodri’s recovery hangs over Real Madrid move

Manchester City have acted to shore up their midfield after news of Rodri’s upcoming back surgery. The club paid a substantial fee to bring Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson to Etihad, hoping to minimise the impact of the Spanish captain’s absence.

Rodri, who captained Spain to a World Cup 2026 victory, has been sidelined by a lingering back injury. His performances in Qatar earned him the tournament’s best player award and the coveted Golden Ball.

The midfielder’s injury history includes a ligament tear in late 2024, hamstring troubles and a groin strain that restricted him to 33 matches last season. With only a year left on his City deal, rumours link him to a return to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid’s midfield pipeline – featuring Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga – is also under scrutiny, as Premier League clubs have shown interest. The outcome of Rodri’s surgery could shape several high‑profile transfer moves this summer.