Real Madrid News
Sources: Real Madrid’s Rodri plan depends on €60 million sale of 23-year-old star
Real Madrid are considering a major move for Manchester City midfielder Rodri, but only if Eduardo Camavinga is sold during the summer transfer window.
According to Defensa Central, the Spanish giants would use the funds from a potential Camavinga departure to finance a deal for the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder.
The report claims that Jose Mourinho has identified Rodri as the ideal player to strengthen Real Madrid’s midfield after being impressed by his performances and leadership at the FIFA World Cup.
However, despite the manager’s admiration, the proposal has not received unanimous support inside the club.
Mourinho wants Rodri but Real Madrid remain divided
Mourinho reportedly believes Real Madrid would benefit from adding another creative presence in midfield and sees Rodri as the perfect candidate.
The Manchester City star has rediscovered his best form after recovering from a serious knee injury and has been one of the standout performers at the World Cup.
Despite that, the club’s hierarchy are not fully aligned.
According to the report, there is significant debate within the boardroom over whether Rodri is the right player to justify another major investment.
While some directors support Mourinho’s recommendation, others remain unconvinced, meaning any decision will ultimately rest with club president Florentino Perez.
Camavinga sale would be key to Rodri transfer
The report states that Real Madrid would only seriously consider signing Rodri if they first receive around €60 million for Eduardo Camavinga.
That income would allow the club to reinvest in a new midfield signing without significantly altering their financial planning.
However, Camavinga himself is not actively seeking an exit. The France international remains under contract until 2029 and is determined to fight for his place despite increased competition for minutes.
His priority is to continue competing for a place at Real Madrid rather than pursue a move elsewhere.
According to the report, only two scenarios are likely to change that position: if Mourinho clearly informs him that he is not part of the club’s long-term plans or if an attractive proposal arrives from another top European club.
At this stage, neither has happened.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
