Real Madrid were destroyed by Barcelona in their latest La Liga encounter, ceding another league title to their greatest rivals while looking like a second rate squad. Their players seem more interested in fighting themselves than fighting and winning on the pitch, and egos have run rampant in the background with more moles in the media than goals on the field in recent weeks.
Los Blancos are not planning a Revolution like in 2019, but president Florentino Perez and the other leaders of the club know that more strength is needed in the midfield and defense after neglecting those positions in favor of the splash Kylian Mbappe signing in 2024.
One of the players openly pining for a move to Real Madrid is Spanish national team star Rodri of Manchester City fame, but Real Madrid and its president have shown a reluctance in spending on a player closer in timeline to an ACL tear than his controversial, at least to Madridistas, Ballon d'Or triumph over Vinicius Junior.
Rodri is ready to stay with Manchester City
Now, according to MARCA journalist Matteo Moretto, Real Madrid are set to officially miss out on the biggest name on the midfield transfer market. That's because Rodri is closing in on a new contract extension with Manchester City and a "decision is imminent". Moretto says that Real Madrid actually do have an interest in signing Rodri, but they have not made any "official steps" to signing away the Spanish international. Man City, meanwhile, have accelerated their talks with Rodri and want to keep him for at least one more season.
Rodri has looked more like his old self in recent months with the Citizens picking up the pace in the Premier League title fight with Arsenal. The Gunners are likely to finally prevail after a couple of previous close calls with Man City, but Rodri's stock remains high despite heading for the wrong side of 30 soon.
If Real Madrid don't make a play for Rodri, that then would leave a few more Premier League stars as the biggest splashes available in the midfield transfer market this summer: Newcastle's coveted Sandro Tonali, Chelsea's disgruntled Enzo Fernandez (another one openly pining for Los Blancos), and then long time target Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (and Brighton) fame.
Real Madrid have to be deeply disappointment with the developments of young Frenchmen Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, so it would be an upset if Real did not sign a new deep lying midfielder in 2026.
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