Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target still has no renewal agreement with Manchester City – Romano
The midfield department has emerged as the priority to strengthen for Real Madrid this summer after the club bolstered the defensive unit already with three new signings.
Bernardo Silva has been signed to provide creativity, versatility, and experience in the final third, but Los Blancos remain on the lookout for a player who can control and dictate the tempo of the game from the centre.
Numerous players have been touted as potential targets, but the one player who has been linked the longest happens to be Manchester City midfield general Rodri.
The Spanish international is rated highly at Valdebebas and remains under consideration as a possible reinforcement for the summer.
No renewal in sight
What makes Rodri an even more appealing target for Real Madrid is the fact that his contract at Manchester City expires in 2027.
And, according to Fabrizio Romano, the 29-year-old midfielder still has no agreement over a new deal with the Premier League heavyweights.
The transfer expert claims that the Cityzens had tabled a renewal offer to Rodri a few months ago, but the two parties have been unable to come to an agreement on the terms.
Therefore, talks over an extension for the Spain captain are currently on stand-by, leaving his future up in the air.
However, there is enough time in the summer for Rodri to make a decision over his next move – whether to leave now or for a free next year or sign the new deal.
Real Madrid have other options
While Rodri was heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu not long ago, recent weeks have seen other players emerge as options for Real Madrid.
Chelsea vice-captain Enzo Fernandez is among the popular choices for Los Blancos’ sporting department, with the player himself keen on making the switch.
West Ham United’s Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes is also admired at Valdebebas, although there is stiff competition for his services from Premier League clubs.
For now, Rodri remains a name that Real Madrid like, but have not made any moves for. Whether that changes in the coming weeks remains to be seen.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
Jeremy Poynton
June 21, 2026 at 11:46 am
That’s because he said he will deal with his contract AFTER the world cup.
Dear me. Crass article.