Real Madrid have found their man.
Real Madrid are prepared to break their internal transfer rules to sign the Premier League’s “best midfielder” this summer.
Life after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure from the Spanish capital has been far from expectations, his replacement Xabi Alonso had to leave the club after the final of the Spanish Super Cup, where they lost to Barcelona.
Read: Atletico Madrid refuse to break up super duo Sørloth and Griezmann
The new signings of the first team, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, have not been complete flops at the Bernabeu, but they have not had the immediate effect that many expected when they arrived for last year’s Club World Cup.
But despite not yet winning any silverware, Madrid are still in contention for the La Liga title, only one point behind Barcelona, and they are still chasing their 16th title. Champions League title. – Real Madrid first play this round’s La Liga match on Monday, when they host Getafe.
Madrid will face Manchester City for the fifth straight season in the play-offs, and according to reports in Spain, they could try to sneak one of their stars back onto the Madrid bus.
It’s no secret that Los Blancos are on the hunt for a midfielder, after Toni Kroos and Luka Modric left the club in recent seasons, and they have reportedly identified Rodri as the ideal replacement.
Spanish journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon has claimed that the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or is the top priority of the Spanish giants, ahead of names like Enzo Fernández and Vitinha.
Madrid ready to break their own rules for Rodri
Rodri was widely regarded as the most important player in the Premier League before his cruciate ligament injury in 2024, but has struggled to replicate the form that earned him the Ballon d’Or in recent seasons.
The 29-year-old has once again been plagued by injuries this season, making just 11 appearances in the Premier League, and Madrid are keeping a close eye on his form.
According to the report, Rodri will need to prove that he is fit enough before the summer transfer window opens, for Madrid to commit to signing the Spanish international.
De Mon wrote on social media: “Rodri is the midfielder Real Madrid want. The Madrid club will assess his form in the run-up to the World Cup.”
The journalist added, “It is estimated that he could cost around 50 million euros.”
While around £40 million seems like a bargain for a player who was named the world’s best just two years ago, such a price tag for an elite player would break with Madrid’s clear transfer strategy of late.
Over the past five years, Madrid’s transfer philosophy has involved two distinct methods: signing world-class players on a free transfer in their prime, such as Antonio Rüdiger, Alexander-Arnold and Kylian Mbappé, and spending large sums of money on potential talent, such as Huijsen and Jude Bellingham.
Rodri doesn’t fit either category, but with his current contract tying him to the Etihad until 2027, £40m could be a bargain for Madristas if the midfielder shows he’s back in top form.
All clear transfers in Allsvenskan 2026
