Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has informed the club that he still hopes to sign a deep-lying playmaker this summer, with the new arrival set to replace Toni Kroos. The club has spent the past two transfer windows searching for a replacement for Kroos but has yet to find a suitable and ideal target.
It is understood that in their search for a replacement in the transfer market, Real Madrid believes there is currently no mature midfielder who possesses sufficient credentials and prestige to immediately become a regular starter in the team. What Real Madrid aims to sign is a polished, plug-and-play player with leadership qualities, capable of directly playing a key role for the team.
During this summer's transfer window, Real Madrid held internal discussions about whether the team needs to sign a No. 5 player, and Rodri is the only candidate that satisfies Real Madrid. Signing the Manchester City midfielder is expected to cost €100 million, and Real Madrid will try to sign him if the opportunity arises and the Spanish midfielder continues to perform well.
However, it is worth noting that Rodri's contract with Manchester City does not expire until 2027, so it is expected that Manchester City will not demand a low transfer fee. Real Madrid has no intention of paying a high transfer fee at this stage, as the club needs to prioritize assessing the progress of Rodri's recovery from a serious injury. If everything goes well and Rodri returns to his peak form, Real Madrid may take action in next year's transfer market. Rodri was highly regarded by Real Madrid even before he suffered the serious injury.
