Real Madrid News
Rodri unmoved by Barcelona interest as Real Madrid remains his priority
According to AS, Real Madrid target Rodri has made his position clear regarding his future.
With just one year remaining on his Manchester City contract, the Spanish midfielder has attracted interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and most recently Barcelona.
However, his preference is said to be unchanged.
According to the report, Rodri has no interest in joining Barcelona or any another club if he leaves Manchester City.
His priority is to return to La Liga, specifically with Real Madrid. That desire, combined with his impressive performances at the World Cup and José Mourinho’s approval, has led Madrid to seriously explore a move for the 30-year-old midfielder.
Barcelona interest does not change plans
Barcelona have made an initial approach to assess Rodri’s situation following Frenkie de Jong’s injury. However, the Catalan club is understood to be aware that the midfielder’s priority is Real Madrid.
Even beyond the player’s preference, Barcelona face significant financial obstacles.
The club’s immediate priorities remain completing deals for Joao Cancelo and a new striker following Robert Lewandowski’s departure.
After already investing heavily in Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jesse Bisiwu, committing another €75 million for Rodri would be extremely difficult.
Other interested clubs, including PSG and Bayern Munich, are also believed to have cooled their pursuit after recognizing the player’s preferred destination.
Real Madrid hope to lower City’s asking price
Real Madrid remain optimistic but cautious about completing the transfer.
Manchester City are asking for around €75 million, while the Merengues hope negotiations can bring the fee closer to €60 million.
To complete the signing, the Spanish club would likely need to sell at least one player, as only one first-team squad place remains available and Yan Diomande is also expected to join.
As speculation continues, Rodri is enjoying his post-World Cup break while recovering from a minor back procedure.
But as far as his future is concerned, the Spain captain is clear: only Real Madrid and nothing else, with an agreement over personal terms already understood to be sorted.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
