Spanish outlet Defensa Central reported that City were willing to discuss sending Rodri widely regarded as the world’s best holding midfielder and a cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s system to the Bernabéu in exchange for 19-year-old Turkish prodigy Güler.

The suggestion alone raised eyebrows across Europe, given Rodri’s irreplaceable status at City and Güler’s rapid emergence as one of Madrid’s most protected young talents.

However, the report goes on to state that Real Madrid has zero interest in entertaining such a proposal. The club views Güler as a long-term pillar of their future midfield and believes his ceiling is too high to consider any form of departure, let alone a direct swap.

City, whose midfield depth has been tested at times this season, have been exploring creative ideas ahead of the summer window but a Rodri exit remains widely viewed as unthinkable, both inside the Etihad and among Premier League analysts.

For now, the rumor looks set to remain exactly that speculation rather than serious negotiation, with Madrid making their stance clear and City unlikely to part with their most influential outfield player.