Real Madrid Turn Attention to Rodri After Failing to Land Zubimendi Modurotoluwa

Real Madrid Turn Attention to Rodri After Failing to Land Zubimendi Modurotoluwa

 

 

Real Madrid have reportedly turned their focus to Manchester City midfielder Rodri as a potential long-term reinforcement after missing outon Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi, who is on the verge of joining Arsenal.

 

 

According to AS, Zubimendi is expected to complete a €60 million switch to the Premier League side, despite late efforts from Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen to keep him in La Liga. The 26-year-old is said to have opted for a new challenge in England, prompting Madrid to consider alternative midfield options.

 

Among those, Rodri has emerged as a key target. The 28-year-old, who recently returned from an ACL injury sustained during City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, has made a successful comeback and is included in the squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

 

However, any move for Rodri is unlikely to happen immediately. The report suggests that Real Madrid are prepared to wait until the summer of 2026, when he enters the final year of his contract with Manchester City.

 

With Luka Modric approaching retirement and Toni Kroos announcing his decision to step away from club football, Madrid are actively planning the next phase of their midfield rebuild and Rodri is now firmly on their radar.

 

Here’s a comprehensive look at Real Madrid’s midfield moves following their failed pursuit of Martín Zubimendi—and why Rodri is now on their radar:

 

 

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⚠️ 1. Zubimendi Deal Collapses

 

Real Madrid had targeted Martín Zubimendi, a breakout star at Real Sociedad, as their midfield solution after Toni Kroos’s exit and Aurelien Tchouaméni’s struggles .

However, the deal fell through when Arsenal swooped in—paying his €60 million release clause and offering a more lucrative salary package that Madrid couldn’t match .

Now sidelined, Madrid have pivoted to reassessing their squad structure and are eyeing alternatives for next summer.

 

 

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🔍 2. Why Rodri Is a Serious Option

 

With Zubimendi off the table, Real are looking at Rodri, Manchester City’s midfield engine whose contract expires in 2027 .

He’d become significantly more affordable if City are pressed to sell in the summer of 2026, with only one year left on his deal .

Rodri is world-class—creative, tactically disciplined, and perfect for anchoring a midfield under Xabi Alonso’s progressive system, debuting at the upcoming Club World Cup .

 

 

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🧭 3. Tactical Fit & Timeline

 

Midfield Reinforcement Needed: With Kroos gone and Tchouaméni disappointing, Madrid’s engine room is destabilized .

 

Contract Buzz: Rodri’s deal runs until 2027, but Madrid could move in 2026 when his value drops .

 

Trial by Club World Cup: The tournament in the U.S. next month offers an ideal testing ground for midfield configurations, including how well existing options like midfield youth integrate without Zubimendi .

 

 

 

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⚖️ 4. Rodri’s Availability & Desire

 

While his Ballon d’Or and injury history complicate matters, Rodri has indicated openness to a future move—describing Real Madrid as “the best club in history” .

Whether Pep Guardiola would sanction the deal remains uncertain—but a well-timed offer in 2026, combined with Rodri’s interest, might sway City’s stance.

 

 

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🔄 5. What Madrid Must Balance

 

Contract Shrewdness: Acquiring Rodri in the summer of 2026 when his value and leverage are lower.

 

Squad Transition: Retooling the midfield under Alonso, combining experience (Rodri/Tchouaméni) with youth (Camavinga, Güler, Huijsen) .

 

Alternatives in Case Rodri Declines: Retaining current squad and sustaining performance through the Club World Cup will determine whether Madrid truly need new faces .

 

 

 

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🔮 6. Future Scenarios

 

Option Implications

 

Rodri arrives 2026 World‑class DM, seamless integration under Alonso, affordable fee

Sell Tchouaméni Fund acquisition and reduce squad logjam

Youth promotion Backup plan if deal falters—Huijsen, Güler, Camavinga get extended roles

Revisit Zubimendi later He remains a target if Rodri acquisition fails

 

 

 

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✅ 7. Final Take

 

Real Madrid’s failure to land Zubimendi was a hiccup—but not a disaster. It’s set in motion a recalibration of their recruitment strategy: monitoring Rodri’s contract, testing in the Club World Cup, and evaluating internal solutions. The next 12–18 months will be pivotal in shaping Madrid’s midfield evolution.

 

Their approach reflects financial prudence and strategic planning—waiting for the optimal moment to pursue Rodri when it suits all parties, rather than forcing a rushed summer deal. It’s risk-averse yet ambitious—hallmarks of a club rewriting its midfield blueprint under Xabi Alonso’s vision.

 

 

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