Manchester City's Rodri said players are "close" to going on strike in protest of the crowded soccer calendar, which has increasingly become a point of tension in the sport amid concerns about player welfare.

The decision facing him is to sign the new contract at the club where he is happy, essentially committing himself to City and ruling out a move away for the remaining peak years of his contract, or wait and see what happens with the charges and take things from there, whether that means committing to City, or waiting to see Madrid’s next move.

Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Rodri has suggested players could strike over increasing fixture congestion. City face a busy season ahead as they compete in the new-look Champions League and an expanded Club World Cup next summer.