Real Madrid News
Real Madrid reach contract agreement with Man City midfield maestro; club-to-club talks underway
With every passing hour, it does feel like Real Madrid are inching closer and closer to signing Spanish midfield star Rodri from Manchester City.
Real Madrid officially began negotiations with the Premier League club earlier today, trying to understand what it would take to bring the Spaniard back to Madrid.
Now, according to journalist Matteo Moretto, Los Blancos have reached a full agreement on personal terms with Rodri, giving the club a major advantage as negotiations with Manchester City begin.
The midfielder has finalised his contract terms with Madrid and has made the Santiago Bernabeu his top priority.
Jose Mourinho has also spoken directly with Rodri as the club push to complete one of the biggest deals of the summer.
Personal terms no longer an obstacle
The agreement with Rodri is a significant breakthrough because it removes one of the most important uncertainties surrounding any transfer operation.
Madrid now know the player is ready to join and that the proposed contract has been accepted. That allows the club to focus entirely on reaching an agreement with Manchester City.
Rodri’s preference also strengthens Madrid’s negotiating position. Even if other clubs attempt to enter the race, it feels like Los Blancos have the advantage.
Club-to-club talks have officially started, although there remains a difference between the two sides over the transfer fee.
Manchester City are asking for between €50 million and €60 million, while Real Madrid want to complete the deal for less.
That gap does not appear impossible to overcome, especially now that the player has given the Spanish giants priority.
With the Spaniard having just a year left on his current contract, it is understandable why Real Madrid want to try to reduce the fee as much as possible.
Mourinho personally pushing for Rodri
Mourinho’s direct contact shows how important Rodri is to his plans.
The midfielder would give Los Blancos control, defensive intelligence and composure at the base of the team. His presence could also allow Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham to play with greater freedom.
When fit and in form, Rodri has a transformative effect on every team he plays in and, ever since Toni Kroos retired and Luka Modric left the club, Real tMadrid have been searching for a midfield presence like this.
If they manage to pull this off, the Merengues will be adding the previous Euros and World Cup Player of the Tournament to their ranks.
It does feel like it is only a matter of time before Real Madrid get this deal over the line, and fans have every reason to be excited.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid dressing room heavyweight raises concern over Vinicius: “We have to make him happy again”
One of the major sagas of the summer transfer window was the contract renewal involving Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid and Vinicius had been in talks over a new deal for a significant period, and there were stages when it felt like an agreement might not be reached.
However, in the end, the film had a happy ending, with the 26-year-old putting pen to paper on a new deal at the club.
Despite the new deal, there are some concerns over Vinicius that have now reached the dressing room.
As quoted by Diario AS, an unnamed dressing-room heavyweight approached Mourinho after the game and expressed worry about the treatment Vinicius is receiving from a section of the Bernabeu crowd.
“Worried about Vini
The concern came after Vinicius was heavily whistled when he was substituted late in the Inter match, despite producing one of his stronger collective performances of the season.
“Boss, I am worried about Vini,” the senior player told Mourinho.
“After everything he has done for Madrid over the years, the way part of the fans have treated him is not normal. We have to make him happy again.”
This is no longer only about outside criticism or Mourinho publicly defending one of his forwards. The dressing room itself has recognised that Vinicius may need support.
Mourinho still sees Vinicius as untouchable
Despite how the crowd have been treating the 26-year-old, within the club, there is no doubt about what Vinicius brings to the table.
Mourinho sees him as one of the first names on the team sheet and an untouchable player in his plans for the club.
To his credit, the Brazilian has shown far greater defensive commitment and a willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of his team.
This has undoubtedly led Mourinho to appreciate the effort, and the manager is determined to help Vinicius return to his best level.
Madrid need to protect one of their key players
That approach makes sense.
Vinicius has spent years carrying enormous attacking responsibility at Madrid. A difficult spell should not suddenly erase what he has already shown he can provide.
If Mourinho, the president and the dressing room are all united behind Vinicius, that support could be decisive.
It is high time the Bernabeu crowd also got behind their talisman and gave him the support he deserves.
The Brazilian will also have to become more consistent with his performances, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho addresses this situation.
