Real Madrid are waiting until the summer to next conduct transfer business and one of the players on their wishlist is Rodri. The Manchester City star has emerged as a target with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2027.
Rodri has long been linked with City where he has become undoubtedly one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. He of course beat Vinicius Juinor to the Ballon d'Or in 2024 much to the shock of Los Blancos.
The 29-year-old could be eyeing a return to Spain with rumors growing over Pep Guardiola potentially calling time on his Etihad reign this summer. But if the La Liga giants are to pounce for the Euro 2024 winner they will likely need to offload at least one of their midfielders.
Premier League club want Dani Ceballos
Dani Ceballos is an intriguing player who has never quite hit the heights anticipated at Madrid. He's been sent out on loan, come in and out of the team and endured injury troubles. He has appeared 17 times across competitions this season, starting just four La Liga games.
The 29-year-old could be the starting point for the club to embark on a midfield rebuild which includes chasing Rodri's signature. His contract expires in the summer of 2017 but surely he wants more game time at this stage of his career.
Ceballo's former Arsenal manager Unai Emery reportedly wants to bring him back to the Premier League. That's according to Spanish football expert Terry Gibson, who told talkSPORT that there has been talk in Spain about Aston Villa turning to Dani Ceballos after missing out on Conor Gallagher.
Villa were set to sign Gallagher from Atletico Madrid but were beaten to his signature by Tottenham Hotspur. This has led to Emery and the Premier League club going back to the drawing board and seemingly making Ceballos their main target to strengthen in midfield.
Ceballos made 17 appearances under Emery during his loan at Arsenal but struggled to impress in England. He could be one to watch this month should Villa or another club look to sign him before the window closes on February 2.
Rodri is perfect for Madrid's rebuild
Rodri has the experience to help this beleagured Madrid squad reclaim their place at the top of Spanish football. He might feel as though he's achieved everything at City and there's nothing left for him to accomplish at the Etihad, having won the Champions League and even a continental treble.
If Florentino Perez and the board want to ensure issues behind the scenes don't occur under whomever replaces Xabi Alonso permanently then signing a player of Rodri's caliber will help.
The only concern will be his fitness given he spent last season on the sidelines with an ACL injury. The Spaniard's leadership could be a massive boost in the dressing room and help this youthful Los Blancos side understand that nobody is bigger than the team.