​In the past few weeks, reports have circulated that Real Madrid are exploring the possibility of signing a new midfielder this summer. With Enzo Fernandez sidelined by Chelsea’s steep asking price, the club appears ready to pivot its focus back to Rodri Hernandez, a name that has appeared in their transfer rumors for roughly a year. Real Madrid have long valued Rodri, and with his Manchester City contract set to expire next year, there seems to be a plausible path to acquire him for less than his current market value. Acquiring Rodri would represent a major coup for the club and could satisfy Jose Mourinho’s demand for reinforcement in the midfield department.
However, Sport has since claimed that Rodri is no longer being considered as a transfer target by Real Madrid, or more precisely by club president Florentino Perez. The report suggests Perez wants to “take revenge” on the Spain international for being among the players that rival manager Enrique Riquelme had promised to sign if he won last month’s election. Beyond this political motivation, Perez is said to have concerns about Rodri’s physical condition, pointing to injuries including an ACL tear in recent years. Yet, some of the skepticism appears tied to the alleged Riquelme connection, rather than purely to fitness concerns.
It’s important to recall that Rodri wasn’t the only player Riquelme purportedly pledged to deliver if he defeated Perez in the presidential race. Haaland was another name tied to such promises, and while reports of these agreements have circulated, there is currently no clear indication that Perez plans to reject the Norwegian striker entirely. Haaland has been on Real Madrid’s radar for several years, and given the long-standing interest, it seems unlikely that the club would abandon a potential pursuit.
Whether Real Madrid eventually secure a midfielder this summer remains uncertain, and if they do, Rodri may not be the chosen option after all. The latest chatter suggests that, despite initial openness to Rodri, the deal may not move forward under the current circumstances. As the summer window progresses, Madrid’s strategy could shift again, and fans may see new names emerge or a renewed focus on other targets. In short, while Rodri has been a recurring name in discussions about a midfield signing, the latest reports indicate that he may no longer be Real Madrid’s primary target, at least for the moment. The situation underscores the broader complexities of transfer negotiations, including club politics, player fitness considerations, and the ever-present specter of linked promises from rival figures.