Real Madrid need to sign one more world-class midfielder, as their quality has dipped badly following the losses of legends Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Vinicius Junior’s old Ballon d’Or foe Rodri of Manchester City is their dream option right now.
According to a report from Ramon Alvarez de Mon of Radio MARCA, Rodri is the player Real want in the middle of the park, and a deal for the Manchester City superstar could cost just 50 million euros.
A fee that low for a Ballon d’Or winner in the defensive midfield seems almost unbelievable, but it makes sense when you look at the fact that Rodri had an ACL tear just two seasons ago, leading to a noticeable dip in athleticism and output.
Plus, Rodri is about to be 30 years old this summer when June strikes, so he has limited future resale value and the additional risk of further decline, and clubs like Man City do often sell players before this happens.
But despite all this, Rodri is pure quality. His defensive work is excellent, his reading of the game is unparalleled, and he is as good as it gets at the position at offering a goal threat and controlling the play with his passing.
Even at less than 100 percent and still getting back to where was, Rodri is still excellent for Man City. Having him as a partner for Aurelien Tchouameni and a mentor for the Frenchman cannot be discounted either.
This season, the Spanish international is averaging 1.1 key passes, 1.3 fouls drawn, and 2.9 combined tackles and interceptions per game. For 50 million euros, Rodri could be the short-term, veteran upgrade Real Madrid are looking for alongside Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and the up-and-coming Thiago Pitarch.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.