Rodri emerges as Madrid's midfield endgame amid transfer deliberations

Real Madrid have been among the busiest clubs in this summer's transfer window. Keenly aware of their shortcomings following a forgettable 2024/25 campaign, Los Blancos have made significant moves to re-establish themselves as a tier-one contender across all competitions next season.

The club's biggest focus has been on reinforcing the back line, which had underperformed both individually and collectively last term. It was an area in urgent need of renewal.

With Alaba and Mendy out of favour and facing uncertain futures, Militao struggling with recurring injuries, Carvajal approaching the twilight of his career, and doubts surrounding the likes of Rudiger and Asencio, the need to bolster the defence was evident. And Real Madrid wasted no time in doing just that.

In one swift move, the club brought in three high-profile reinforcements at the back: Dean Huijsen (centre-back), Trent Alexander-Arnold (right-back), and Alvaro Carreras (left-back). Further upfield, Franco Mastantuono also arrived — a versatile talent who could fit anywhere across the attacking midfield or wide positions.

All these additions represent a step up in quality for Xabi Alonso. However, the Basque manager has had one clear target in mind since taking charge: a commanding presence in midfield. A true orchestrator — the kind he believes his current squad lacks.

Tchouameni, Camavinga and Valverde are all key figures for the present and future, but none of them specialises in the role vacated by Toni Kroos and Luka Modric — the long-time generals of Madrid's midfield.

Zubimendi had been seen as a logical successor, eventually joining Arsenal for a relatively modest fee given the current market. Yet Madrid's failure to land him might not have been a misstep after all. Their Plan A, B, and C may have always been Rodri.

The Manchester City star — and current Ballon d'Or holder — embodies everything Alonso wants in a midfield lynchpin: composure, distribution, ball progression, and the ability to dictate tempo with remarkable efficiency.

According to multiple reports, including those from AS and Cadena SER, the possibility of signing Rodri is firmly on the table. It may explain why the club held back in their pursuit of Zubimendi. While a deal for Rodri is certainly complex — given his stature and City's position — the wider context could play into Madrid's hands.

The midfielder is just coming back from injury, is one year away from contract expiry, and is now 29 years old — a cocktail of circumstances that makes a summer move plausible, if still challenging.

Madrid are monitoring the situation closely. Rodri, for his part, is reportedly open to a return to Spain and a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, after an intense summer of transfer activity and with several departures still pending — with Rodrygo's name surfacing most frequently — the club finds itself at a crossroads: make a strong push for Rodri in August, or wait until next summer, when he would turn 30 and be entering the final year of his deal, likely lowering the price tag.

A signing this summer would grant Alonso his wish and signal Madrid's intent with a statement of ambition — albeit with the risk of uncertainty surrounding Rodri's form post-injury. He did feature in the final stretch of last season, but only briefly — clocking just 15 minutes in the Premier League and 193 minutes in the Club World Cup.

On the other hand, delaying the move by 12 months carries its own risks. Should Rodri regain his usual level, City will almost certainly fight hard to renew their midfield lynchpin.

A strategic chess match is now underway — one with a very clear time limit: the closing day of this summer's transfer window.