WHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid are planning to revitalise their midfield with the addition of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, according to a report from Spanish outlet AS.
The reigning Champions League and LaLiga winners haven't hit the ground running following the retirement of Toni Kroos and believe that Rodri's addition could elevate the team to another level.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Real Madrid haven't had the best of starts to the ongoing campaign, losing 4-0 to Barcelona at home last weekend, while also falling to a shock 1-0 defeat at Lille in the Champions League.
With Kroos gone, much was expected from Los Blancos' midfield that consists of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni. However, they have failed to stamp their authority on games as a collective unit.
Rodri, who was crowned as the 2024 Ballon D'Or winner in Paris earlier this week, could solve a lot of problems. At 28, he is arguably the best player in the world in his position.
His performances for Man City have seen them dominate England in recent seasons, while Spain ended their 12-year wait for a major international trophy with Rodri at the heart of the midfield at Euro 2024.
City have been keen to tie him down long term, but Rodri is supposedly in no rush to ink a renewal due to the ongoing uncertainty over potential consequences of FFP infringements, with City facing 115 charges.
DID YOU KNOW?
Rodri was born in Villanueva de la Canada, a municipality located around 40 kilometres away from the Santiago Bernabeu. Before joining the Cityzens, he played for Real Madrid's cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid.
WHAT NEXT FOR RODRI AND REAL MADRID?
Real Madrid will be keen to bounce back from the Clasico drubbing when they visit Mestalla this week to take on 20th-placed Valencia in LaLiga.
Rodri, meanwhile, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Man City's Premier League encounter against Arsenal back in September. He has been ruled out for the season and will have to support his team-mates from the sidelines.
The 23-year-old is having a real break-out season at Monaco, scoring six goals and providing ten assists in his 39 games across all competitions.According to French outlet L'Equipe, the club have a gentleman's agreement that would allow Akliouche to leave for the right price, which is understood to be around €80 million.Akliouche is reportedly keen to take the next step and join a club that ...
Departing Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has said he is "open" to staying in the Premier League next season as he searches for a new club."I'm open for anything, anything, just for because I have to look at the whole picture," De Bruyne told reporters when asked if he would be willing to remain in England's top flight.ESPN has reported that De Bruyne is subject to interest from Major L...
Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season with Xabi Alonso the heavy favourite to replace the legendary Italian.Per The Athletic, the 65-year-old is expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and take over as Brazil's new manager for the 2026 World Cup.The report suggests that the Brazilian football federation sent representatives to watch Ancelotti's side ge...
Jurgen Klopp's agent has set the record straight on the ex-Liverpool manager's future amid links with Real Madrid and Brazil.Klopp is Red Bull's Head of Global SoccerLinked with Brazil and Real MadridHis agent sets the record straightWHAT HAPPENED?Klopp became Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer earlier this year but just a few months into the post, reports have surfaced that he is unhappy there. How...
Man City are reportedly leading the race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White as they search for a long-term successor to Kevin de Bruyne.De Bruyne is set to depart Man City at the end of the season once his contract expires and will leave a huge void that Pep Guardiola will need to fill.Nottingham Forest’s inform attacking midfielder is one name that has been mentioned as...
David James has urged Manchester City to consider signing Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher as an Ederson replacement.Kelleher likely to leave Liverpool this summerDavid James urges Man City to sign KelleherEderson's future at Etihad Stadium uncertainWHAT HAPPENED?Kelleher joined the Liverpool senior team in 2019 after having come up through the Reds' youth system. The Irish international has...
A woman dubbed ‘Arsenal’s biggest female fan’ has painted her body to resemble the team’s away kit to celebrate their recent victory over Real Madrid.Arabella Mia has become known for her nude antics, often turning up at matches wearing little more than body paint in the team’s colours.Arsenal fan Arabella Mia rocked the Gunners' away shirtAnd after Arsenal bested Rea...
Bernardo Silva could follow Kevin De Bruyne out of Manchester City this summer amid strong transfer interest from former club Benfica.Silva could exit City this summerBenfica showing strong interestDe Bruyne's departure already confirmedWHAT HAPPENED?Silva could return to his boyhood club Benfica this summer as the Portuguese side have opened talks with the player's representatives as well as Manc...
Lucy Bronze refused to count Chelsea out of the Champions League after they went down 4-1 to holders Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final in Spain.Ewa Pajor fired the hosts in front in the 35th minute at the Johan Cruyff Stadium and substitute Claudia Pina made it two with 20 minutes left.Sandy Baltimore pulled one back in the 74th minute, but Irene Paredes got Barcelona’s third wi...
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold says his late winner at Leicester, which put his side on the brink of the Premier League title, will live with him forever.Alexander-Arnold made a stunning return from injury as he climbed off the bench to score the decisive 76th-minute goal in the visitors’ 1-0 triumph at the King Power Stadium.It relegated Leicester and left the Reds needing just t...
- 1 Four Tottenham stars could leave this summer
- 2 PL side eyeing summer move for Rashford
- 3 Man City in pole position to secure Morgan Gibbs
- 4 Pop icon with £580M net worth makes appearance at Stamford Bridge
- 5 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 6 Ronaldo shows a side fans never see in tender video for their daughter birthday
- 7 Arteta makes exciting Arsenal transfer claim
- 8 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 9 Newcastle continue to impress in absence of Eddie Howe with Crystal Palace rout
- 10 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive