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Real Madrid are preparing for their LaLiga season opener against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, August 19. Xabi Alonso will be expected to launch an offensive on the league after significantly strengthening his team over the summer.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have been tipped to move for Manchester City's Rodri. Elsewhere, the Spanish giants have decided the future of two defensive stalwarts.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from August 17, 2025.
Real Madrid tipped to move for Rodri
Rodri has admirers at the Santiago Bernabeu" srcset="https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/908cc-17553941818112-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/908cc-17553941818112-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/908cc-17553941818112-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/908cc-17553941818112-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/908cc-17553941818112-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/908cc-17553941818112-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/908cc-17553941818112-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/908cc-17553941818112-1920.jpg 1920w">
Rodri has admirers at the Santiago Bernabeu
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown believes that Real Madrid could make a move for Rodri in the future. The Manchester City midfielder is among the finest in his position in the world and apparently has admirers at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown insisted that the Cityzens must move quickly to avoid losing the Spaniard.
“City could end up in a difficult position with Rodri. I’ve said it before, but when Real Madrid come calling, it’s hard for players to say no. The best players at some of the biggest clubs will get their heads turned by Madrid, we saw it happen with Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool,” said Brown.
He added:
“So for City, of course they’ll be concerned about the interest in Rodri. Their interest has been made public for a reason, and it’s the way Real Madrid like to do things, if they can unsettle him it makes the move easier. Now, I don’t know if he will be unsettled because by all accounts he’s happy at City.”
He concluded:
“Everybody knows how big a miss he has been for Pep Guardiola this year. Having got him back fit, with two years to go on his contract, they’ve got no intention of letting him go this year or any time soon. They’re working hard to get him a new contract, to push aside any of the speculation. If he commits his future to Manchester City, that’s going to be a huge boost for them.”
Rodri picked up a nasty ACL injury last September and missed almost the entire campaign.
Los Blancos make decision on defensive duo
Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba" srcset="https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/b00c7-17553940474781-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/b00c7-17553940474781-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/b00c7-17553940474781-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/b00c7-17553940474781-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/b00c7-17553940474781-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/b00c7-17553940474781-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/b00c7-17553940474781-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/b00c7-17553940474781-1920.jpg 1920w">
Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba
Real Madrid have decided not to extend Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba's stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, according to AS. Both players have entered the final 12 months of their contracts, and their futures remain uncertain.
The duo are already on the wrong side of 30 and have suffered with injuries, so finding suitors for them this summer could be a tough ask. It is likely that both will see out the remainder of their contracts and leave for free next summer.
Arsenal reject swap deal for William Saliba
William Saliba" srcset="https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/0a33d-17553935702708-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/0a33d-17553935702708-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/0a33d-17553935702708-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/0a33d-17553935702708-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/0a33d-17553935702708-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/0a33d-17553935702708-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/0a33d-17553935702708-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/08/0a33d-17553935702708-1920.jpg 1920w">
William Saliba
Arsenal have turned down Real Madrid's proposal for a swap deal between William Saliba and Rodrygo Goes, according to Indykaila News. The Gunners are keen to prise the Brazilian away from the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Los Blancos are open to his departure, and want to use Rodrygo to get their hands on long-term target Saliba. However, the north London side have rejected the proposal, as they want the Brazilian as a straight signing.
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Deepungsu Pandit
Deepungsu is a veteran football journalist who has been covering daily transfer roundups and news for over seven years at Sportskeeda. He has written more than 9500 articles for the website, and has garnered close to 21 million reads.
Deepungsu holds a PG degree in Microbiology and an MBA degree in Total Quality Management. He has an extensive two-decade long writing experience, which includes a decade of sports blogging. His writing prowess has even led his work getting cited on the legendary Franz Beckenbauer's Wikipedia page.
Inspired by Diego Maradona, Deepungsu played as an attacking midfielder for his local club at subdivision level in his initial years and scored an important goal or two. However, his all-time favorite footballer is Lionel Messi, and evidently, he feels Argentina's glory in 2022 is his favorite FIFA World Cup moment for fulfilling his long-standing dream. He is also an ardent East Bengal fan.
Deepungsu has been a Manchester United supporter since the year 2000. Unsurprisingly, his favorite manager is Sir Alex Ferguson and the Scotsman helped him get through some of the toughest days of his life. Like the fiery Scot, Deepungsu also leaves no stone unturned when it comes to accuracy in articles and only relies on credible sources.
Despite believing in Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to create an iconic rivalry, Deepungsu reckons no one can match the longevity of Messi and Ronaldo. He spends his leisure time writing about life on his blog, reading books, and playing the guitar.
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