Real Madrid’s pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri has cooled, with The Athletic reporting that Aleksandar Pavlovic, Nico Gonzalez and Angelo Stiller are among the players being assessed as possible alternatives.
The Spanish club have already spent €240m (£207m; $277m) on new signings this summer, but their failure to secure one key midfielder could have a decisive impact on the season.
Real Madrid held talks with Manchester City over a move for Rodri last month, according to The Athletic. However, it later became clear that the World Cup-winning Spain captain preferred a transfer to Barcelona. No agreement has been completed and Rodri is not expected to move to the Bernabeu in the short term.
His absence would represent a significant setback for Real Madrid, who have struggled to replace the control provided by Toni Kroos since the German midfielder retired in 2024.
On paper, the club have plenty of midfield options. Seven players are competing for the three central positions in returning manager Mourinho’s planned 4-2-3-1 system, which uses two defensive midfielders and one more advanced player.
During parts of pre-season, Arnau Olive was used in midfield when Real Madrid had possession. The player has experience in the role from his time at Liverpool, although it is not expected to become his main position.
The club’s board believes the squad offers a wide range of qualities. Jude Bellingham can make powerful runs into the penalty area, while new signing Bernardo Silva offers versatility and can operate in several advanced positions.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid have not had a midfielder capable of consistently setting the tempo since Kroos left, with Luka Modric departing in 2025. The club have gone two seasons without winning a major trophy, increasing internal pressure to recruit a player who can impose control in the centre of the pitch.
Carlo Ancelotti and Alonso, two of the three coaches in charge before Mourinho’s appointment, were among the strongest advocates of midfield reinforcements. Both the Italian and the current Chelsea manager highlighted the need for a signing, but no such deal was completed.
Alonso’s successor, Luis de la Fuente, had a different situation to manage. He was promoted from Castilla to the first team in January and had to work with the squad available to him until the end of the season.
Mourinho revived the issue after being appointed in June. At his first meeting with Real Madrid’s sporting department to discuss plans for the new campaign, the Portuguese coach made clear that he wanted a “creative” midfielder.
The club responded by signing Bernardo Silva, but not in the way Mourinho had hoped. The Portugal international joined on a free transfer in June after choosing not to renew his Manchester City contract, signing a deal until 2028.
Silva is a midfielder, but he frequently plays in more advanced areas and can also operate on the wing. He is therefore not a conventional number six in the mould of Rodri.
Real Madrid changed their previous view of Silva to beat Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to his signature. The player had previously been recommended to the club by agent Mendes, who also represents Mourinho, but the club had earlier decided he was not the solution to their long-term midfield problem.
Although Mourinho personally requested Silva’s arrival, he continued to ask for another midfielder after the transfer was completed.
That makes the failure to sign Rodri more significant. Real Madrid supporters had strongly urged the board to pursue the Spain captain after his outstanding World Cup, where he was named the tournament’s best player. Once Real Madrid entered the race, expectations of a deal grew quickly and many viewed Rodri as the missing piece of the club’s new project.
People at the Valdebebas training ground followed the negotiations closely and were excited by the prospect of Rodri joining, both because of his expected influence on the pitch and his impact in the dressing room. Sources close to several senior players said they shared that view.
Mourinho, however, did not regard Rodri as his top priority. He wanted a more mobile midfielder who could perform a wider range of duties, although Rodri’s arrival would still have been regarded as a positive development.
The greatest disappointment would come if Real Madrid not only failed to sign Rodri but also ended the window without adding another player in that position. At present, the club’s stated position is that no further midfielder will be recruited unless somebody leaves.
Real Madrid believe their 25-man squad is complete, with at least two players for every position. That message has also been repeated internally. The club made the same argument in July, before The Athletic revealed their work on the Aurelien Tchouameni transfer. Reports of their interest in Rodri followed soon afterwards.
There are also people behind the scenes who point out that no member of the current squad wants to depart.
Should Real Madrid decide to return to the market, a player with qualities similar to Rodri would be the logical target: somebody able to retain possession, control the rhythm of matches and protect the defence through anticipation when the team does not have the ball.
The Athletic’s role analysis uses almost 40 data points to compare players in Europe’s five major leagues. Rodri is classified as the “tempo controller” Real Madrid most need.
According to the model, Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlovic is the closest stylistic match. He is a dependable passer with athleticism and physical strength, while also offering defensive protection, although Bayern would be difficult to persuade to sell him.
Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez is another comparable option. He combines long recovery runs with reliable ball retention. However, his willingness to join Real Madrid could be questioned after he progressed through La Masia and reached Barcelona’s first team.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex Garcia is also viewed as an intriguing possibility. He was one of La Liga’s leading performers during Girona’s title challenge in the 2023-24 season and is particularly effective at switching play across the pitch. Real Madrid have lacked that ability since Kroos’s departure. Garcia has also gained experience in the faster-paced Bundesliga, where transitions occur more frequently.
The list also features two familiar names. Angelo Stiller of Stuttgart has long been regarded as a potential elite midfielder capable of controlling the tempo, while Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios combines aggressive defensive work with the ability to play incisive forward passes.
