Spanish midfielder and World Cup hero Rodri wants to join Real Madrid, and is poised to turn down Barcelona’s interest, according to a new report from Spanish radio.
Despite rumblings that Barcelona would attempt to hijack the deal
, and rumors that Manchester City were prepared to sell him to the Catalan club, the midfielder himself has the final word on his next club.In order for him to leave, two things must happen. First, the player has to agree terms with his new club, which at this point would
mean Madrid. Second, the club has to agree on a transfer fee with City. And for that to happen, City first reportedly wants to tie down a replacement before they sanction a sale.
Rodri, who is from Madrid, came up through Atlético Madrid’s academy before joining Villarreal’s academy. He later debuted with Villarreal before joining Atlético’s first team. Rodri then made his move to England. Despite his history with Atlético, it seems there is no issue with him joining their crosstown rivals.
Real were in a tricky position having had no players in the Spanish squad that won the World Cup, though they did sign Marc Cucurella before the trophy was lifted. Signing the team’s best player would mean a lot symbolically. Rodri doesn’t just give them PR though, he’s a wonderful footballer and addresses a core need.
For Barça, midfield has become a growing concern after the injury to Frenkie de Jong, though it’s less of an immediate need. However, Rodri is almost the prototypical Barcelona midfielder, in the style of Sergio Busquets or Pep Guardiola.
The new report says that the deal with Real is highly advanced and with the player himself making a choice, it’s only a matter of time before Rodri signs for four years with the capital club.
