Rodri of Manchester City
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Despite signing several new players, Real Madrid’s summer transfer window looked incomplete after having missed out on Rodri.
The Spanish giants were close to acquiring the services of the Manchester City star, but a late and sharp turnaround saw him join bitter rivals Barcelona.
The missed opportunity to sign Rodri has come back to haunt Real Madrid, as the club have lacked stability in the middle of the park this season.
How Real Madrid missed out on Rodri
Rodri, Barcelona player
Real Madrid fumbled the Rodri deal badly. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
A recent report from Diario SPORT has given additional insights into the Rodri transfer saga, revealing how Barcelona were able to engineer a move for the midfielder.
According to the report, Rodri had effectively reached an agreement with Real Madrid before Barça ever entered the picture.
The deal appeared on course, with the World Cup-winning captain ready to make the switch to the Spanish capital.
The problems, however, began when Madrid attempted to renegotiate the financial terms late in the process.
Juni Calafat, the club’s director of international football and an advisor to Florentino Perez, pushed to finalise the operation at a reduced cost, in essence beginning to haggle over a player of Rodri’s stature.
That approach did not sit well with the midfielder’s entourage, who were already uneasy about the treatment they had received.
Doubts also crept in over joining a dressing room in turmoil, and adapting to Jose Mourinho after thriving under Pep Guardiola and Luis de la Fuente.
Barcelona’s all-out push
Rodri, Barcelona player
Real Madrid are ruing missing out on Rodri. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Deco was alerted that a window of opportunity had emerged, and Hansi Flick gave his immediate approval to pursue the best midfielder in the world.
From there, the entire club mobilised. Barça first spoke to Manchester City, who confirmed they would respect the player’s wishes, with the existing relationship between Deco and Hugo Viana smoothing the path.
Deco then sold Rodri on the project, assuring him the team would take a significant leap forward and had the tools to challenge for the Champions League.
Flick called personally, while the Blaugrana’s World Cup winners, led by Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal, urged him to pick Barcelona over a Madrid side in turmoil.
The decisive moment came in a video call with Laporta, Flick and Deco, where Rodri was made to feel truly wanted.
Barça matched the very terms Madrid had offered before Calafat intervened, and that ultimately made all the difference. Rodri, for his part, remains grateful for Real Madrid’s interest but he is now enjoying life in Catalonia.
Xabi Alonso wants to sign 28-year-old Real Madrid defender for Chelsea – report
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid player
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Chelsea are monitoring Trent Alexander-Arnold’s situation at Real Madrid as the England international continues to face uncertainty over his role under Jose Mourinho, according to a report from Bernabeu Digital.
The report suggests that Chelsea could explore a transfer if the right-back becomes available, with Blues manager Xabi Alonso keen on the defender.
Alexander-Arnold has yet to establish himself as an undisputed starter at the Santiago Bernabeu, fuelling speculation about his long-term future.
However, the 28-year-old is said to be happy in Madrid and has not decided to leave, while there is currently no evidence of formal negotiations between the two clubs.
Alonso could pursue Alexander-Arnold for Chelsea
Chelsea’s interest comes as Alonso looks to strengthen his options at Stamford Bridge.
Xabi Alonso, Chelsea manager
Xabi Alonso is interested in signing Alexander-Arnold for Chelsea. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold’s passing range, crossing ability and experience at the highest level could make him an attractive target if the opportunity arises to bring him back to the Premier League.
The former Liverpool defender joined Real Madrid last summer expecting to become an influential figure, but competition for the right-back position with Denzel Dumfries has complicated his attempts to secure consistent minutes.
As a result, Chelsea are keeping track of the situation rather than preparing a confirmed bid, leaving any potential move dependent on developments in Madrid.
Selection decisions complicate Trent’s Real Madrid future
Alexander-Arnold’s position has become a talking point under Mourinho, with Dumfries providing competition at right-back and Federico Valverde also being deployed in the position, according to the report.
The competition could make it difficult for Alexander-Arnold to secure the uninterrupted run of games he needs to establish himself.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid player
Alexander-Arnold is struggling for minutes at Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Although his quality is still highly regarded, regular playing time is important if he is to fulfil the expectations that accompanied his arrival from Liverpool.
Nevertheless, the defender has not asked to leave Real Madrid, as his priority is to establish himself in the first team, and the situation could change if he receives a more prominent role under Mourinho.
Real Madrid hold the key to a potential Chelsea transfer
As per the outlet, Real Madrid are prepared to consider a reasonable offer if Alexander-Arnold’s situation fails to improve in the coming months.
Such a decision would depend on the club’s sporting requirements and whether they believe his departure would benefit their wider squad plans.
Chelsea’s interest therefore remains conditional. Without formal negotiations or a request from the player to leave, it would be premature to describe a transfer as imminent.