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The longer it goes without Manchester City tying Rodri down to a new contract, the louder the noise will be about a potential Real Madrid transfer. This is a well-rehearsed plan in the Spanish capital now.
Rodri is an obvious target for the Spanish giants. They arguably need experienced midfield upgrades after the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, and in Rodri, they would be eyeing up a Spanish international and Ballon d'Or winner as well.
Madrid's transfer tentacles also tend to set off as soon as they see an elite player beginning to enter what you could call the danger zone with their contract, and City are arguably there with Rodri. It now has less than two years remaining, and while that isn't yet alarming, it is the point when the noise around the future of players at the highest level starts to ratchet up.
Liverpool paid the price for their tardiness in securing Trent Alexander-Arnold's future, opening the door for Real Madrid. When the Bernabeu charm offensive begins, it can be difficult to say no. Rodri has already hinted at that, when he was asked in November about a potential move to the Spanish capital, not long after winning the Ballon d'Or.
Cadena Ser’s El Larguero show asked Rodri about playing for Real and he didn't rule it out, although he will have also been well aware that his value in terms of contract talks at the Etihad was rising.
"When Madrid, the best club in history, the most successful, call you, it is an honour and you always have to pay attention," he said.
You can understand City putting talks over a new deal on ice last season. The preference for all parties was to let the player focus on his recovery from a serious knee injury. At 29, getting back to your previous levels after an anterior cruciate ligament injury can be a challenge, and City will be aware of that as they enter talks that would likely tie the midfielder down until he is 32 or 33.
But as the clock continues to tick on his existing contract, the distractions from Madrid will continue. City are aware of the building speculation in Madrid and are treating it as just that at the moment. The last time Rodri spoke publicly on his contract was last November and he suggested he was happy to stay at the Etihad.
"I have two years left on my contract, the time is approaching to start talking again," he said.
"The Guardiola deal is an important incentive. I feel very valued at the club. It could very well be a possibility to finish my career in England. It has given me everything and I love the football there."
Real can be expected to turn up the charm offensive, however. As well as Alexander-Arnold, they have signed Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger on free transfers in recent seasons, and they have become the masters at this kind of deal
City will be keen to resolve the issue sooner rather than later. They would certainly hope to avoid an early Champions League meeting with Real, which could happen in the new-look league phase.
Rodri's contract situation will be a topic that crops up regularly in Pep Guardiola's early press conferences, and if Real did end up being opposition early in the season, you can guarantee that the midfielder's future would become an unwanted sideshow.
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