Real Madrid News
Real Madrid distance themselves from potential move for Manchester City ace
Real Madrid have moved to distance themselves from the growing speculation surrounding Rodri after reports linked the Manchester City midfielder with a move to the Santiago Bernabéu.
According to Jose Felix Diaz in AS, the Spanish side has rejected claims that they recently held talks with Rodri’s representatives and have even contacted Manchester City to deny suggestions that negotiations are underway.
The latest Real Madrid transfer news comes just hours after reports claimed club officials had secretly met with the Spain international’s agent to discuss personal terms.
Those reports understandably gathered momentum, but Real Madrid are said to have been frustrated by the widespread speculation, insisting that no such discussions have taken place.
Real Madrid reject claims of Rodri negotiations
The report states that Real Madrid were unhappy to see their name repeatedly linked with the midfielder without any concrete developments.
In fact, club officials contacted Manchester City to make it clear that reports of discussions with Rodri were inaccurate.
Sources within Real Madrid also dismissed suggestions that an agreement had already been reached with the player, describing those claims as unfounded.
Despite these developments, it cannot be stated that Rodri is absent from Real Madrid’s long-term thinking.
Internally, some figures within the club believe the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder would provide greater balance, control and identity to the team’s midfield, making him an attractive option if the right opportunity ever emerged.
However, those views have not translated into active negotiations, with the club maintaining that no formal process has begun.
So what happens now?
Although Real Madrid have denied current negotiations, Rodri’s future at Manchester City continues to attract attention across the European transfer market.
It must be remembered that the Spain international has yet to renew his contract, which is entering its final year.
That situation has naturally created uncertainty around his future and prompted Manchester City to explore different scenarios should an extension fail to materialise.
The report suggests City could be prepared to consider offers in the region of €60 million, although there are contrary reports doing rounds on the web.
As things stand, there have been no direct talks between Real Madrid and either Rodri or Manchester City, leaving any potential move in the realm of speculation.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
