There are major needs around the squad that Real Madrid are finally going to have to address in the summer 2026 transfer window after going trophyless for a second straight season, and, thankfully for Madridistas, incoming legendary manager Jose Mourinho sounds intent on addressing all those pressing problems with marquee signings to bolster the midfield and defense.
Real Madrid will finally give a manager real say in making these kinds of necessary changes to help the squad compete for all the titles every year, and Mourinho already appears to have a long list of top players on his ledger, including the likes of Alessandro Bastoni from Serie A champions Inter Milan.
But perhaps the biggest name linked to Real Madrid, who has been on their radar before Mourinho and even offered himself to the club implictly with a gushing press conference for the Spanish national team, is Rodri.
Manchester City star remains in Real Madrid's focus
According to a new report from MARCA, via the Madrid Zone, Rodri is closer than ever to leaving Manchester City and joining Real Madrid. There had previously been reports that Florentino Perez and Real Madrid were unsure about the player due to expected cost, age, and the not so distant ACL tear, but, per MARCA, Real are actually smitten with the Spaniard and are in love with him. The Spanish outlet also corroborates the rather obvious notion that the Ballon d'Or winner himself is crazy about returning to Madrid - and playing for his old club Atleti's rivals.
Obviously, a lot of the final say will go to the new big man in charge in Jose Mourinho, but if he is on the same page, then there should be nothing standing in Rodri's way. He clearly wants Real Madrid, and with Pep Guardiola officially set to leave the Etihad for Enzo Maresca after finally dropping the Premier League title to his old protege Mikel Arteta over at Arsenal, the last possible limitation holding Rodri back from desiring Madrid is done.
Mourinho thrives off having great leadres and generals in the midfield, and there is no better warrior available to help control the pitch, defend, and add that something extra techncially than the European Champion and treble winner. And any doubts about him and Vinicius Junior were already warded off by the center midfielder admitting quite clearly that Vini Jr. would have more than merited the Ballon d'Or himself back in 2024.
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