Real Madrid are intensifying their search for a midfield anchor, with Manchester City’s Rodri emerging as a priority alternative if a deal for PSG’s Vitinha proves impossible.
According to reports from Cadena SER, the Spanish giants are preparing for a blockbuster summer transfer window. While Vitinha is currently the preferred choice for Florentino Pérez, the club acknowledges that negotiating with Paris Saint-Germain is notoriously difficult. Should the Portuguese star remain out of reach, Real Madrid are ready to pivot back to a long-term target: Rodri.
The Rodri Situation: Will He Renew at the Etihad?
As reported by journalist Antón Meana, Real Madrid’s scouting team has never taken their eyes off Rodri. The 29-year-old Ballon d’Or winner is currently under contract until June 2027, but two major factors are fueling rumors of a return to Madrid:
- Contract Negotiations: Rodri has yet to commit to a long-term extension with Manchester City, leading to speculation that he may be open to a new challenge in his home country.
- The ‘Guardiola Factor’: With uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future at the Etihad Stadium, several key players including Rodri are reportedly reassessing their long-term plans.
The Vitinha Roadblock
While Vitinha has impressed the Madrid board with his technical elegance in Ligue 1, PSG have placed a staggering €100 million price tag on the midfielder. Given the strained relationship between the two clubs following the Kylian Mbappé saga, Real Madrid expect a “hostile” negotiation process.
A Busy Summer Ahead at the Bernabéu
Spanish outlet AS suggests that Real Madrid are preparing for a squad overhaul this summer. Alongside Rodri, Enzo Fernández remains on the radar, but the City midfielder’s tactical intelligence and familiarity with the Spanish national team make him the “ideal” successor to the aging midfield core at the Bernabéu.
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
