Real Madrid’s pursuit of Rodri has cooled, with Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlovic, Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez and Bayer Leverkusen’s Angelo Stiller among the possible alternatives, according to The Athletic.
The Spanish club have already spent €240m (£207m; $277m) on signings this summer, but their failure to recruit a commanding central midfielder could prove decisive in determining how the season develops.
The Athletic reported last month that Real Madrid were in discussions with Manchester City over a deal for Rodri. However, it subsequently emerged that the World Cup-winning Spain captain would prefer a move to Barcelona, Real Madrid’s biggest rivals. No agreement has been completed and Rodri is not expected to join Real Madrid in the short term.
That would be a significant setback for a club that has struggled to replace the control provided by Toni Kroos since his retirement in 2024. Luka Modric’s departure in 2025 has intensified the problem.
Real Madrid appear to have plenty of midfield options. Seven players are competing for three places in the 4-2-3-1 system expected to be used by returning manager Jose Mourinho, with two deeper midfield roles and one more advanced position available.
During parts of pre-season, Mourinho used Arnau Olive in midfield when Real Madrid had possession. Olive has experience in the role from his time at Liverpool, although it is not thought likely to become his regular position.
The club’s board believes the squad contains a broad range of midfield profiles, from Jude Bellingham, who regularly makes late runs into the penalty area, to new signing Bernardo Silva, who offers considerable versatility.
Yet Real Madrid have lacked a player capable of consistently setting the rhythm of matches since Kroos left. The club have failed to win a major trophy in the past two seasons, leading to increasing support internally for the signing of a midfielder who can control games.
Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso were the most vocal advocates of that approach among the three managers who preceded Mourinho. Both the Italian, now Chelsea manager, and Alonso argued that the midfield needed strengthening, but no deal was completed.
Alonso’s successor, Luis de la Fuente, was promoted from the Castilla reserve side to the first team in January and had to work with the squad available to him until the end of the season.
When Mourinho was appointed in June, the issue remained unresolved. In his first meeting with the club’s sporting department to discuss plans for the season, the Portuguese coach made clear that he wanted a “creative” midfielder.
Real Madrid responded by signing Bernardo Silva on a contract running until 2028. The Portugal international arrived on a free transfer after opting not to renew his Manchester City deal.
Bernardo Silva can operate centrally but is also comfortable in more advanced positions and on the wing. He is therefore not a direct replacement for Rodri, whose role is primarily that of a number six.
Real Madrid changed their previous position on Bernardo Silva to beat Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to his signature. The player had earlier been recommended to the club by his agent, Mendes, who also represents Mourinho, but Real Madrid had previously decided against pursuing him.
That change of heart suggested the club did not initially view Bernardo Silva as the answer to their long-standing midfield concerns, even though no transfer fee was required. Mourinho personally requested the signing, but continued to ask for another midfielder after the deal was completed.
The failed attempt to bring in Rodri has therefore carried particular significance. Real Madrid supporters had already reacted positively to the club’s work in the transfer window, including the announcement of Aurelien Tchouameni’s move from RB Leipzig and Vinicius’ contract extension until 2032 despite interest from Arsenal.
Tchouameni’s deal is worth up to €140m and is expected to become the most expensive signing in the club’s history. The response from fans on social media was strongly favourable.
Rodri’s outstanding display at the World Cup, where he was named the tournament’s best player, had made him a popular target among supporters. Many had urged the board to pursue the midfielder, and optimism grew rapidly once Real Madrid entered the race.
There was a widespread belief that a deal could be completed and that Rodri was the missing piece in the club’s new project. That expectation changed when Barcelona became involved.
People at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground followed the negotiations closely and were excited by the prospect of Rodri joining, believing he could make a significant impact both on the pitch and in the dressing room. Several senior players also welcomed the possibility, according to sources close to them.
Mourinho, however, did not regard Rodri as his priority. The manager wanted a more mobile midfielder who could perform a wider variety of functions. Even so, Rodri’s arrival would have been viewed as a major positive.
The greatest disappointment would come if Real Madrid not only failed to sign Rodri but also brought in no other player for that position. At present, that is the message coming from the club.
Real Madrid’s stated position is that no further midfielder will be recruited unless a current player leaves. The club believes its 25-man squad is complete, with at least two players available for every position. Internally, officials have also been told that no members of the current squad want to depart.
That stance was also maintained in July, before The Athletic revealed that Real Madrid were working on the Tchouameni transfer. The club’s pursuit of Rodri became public soon afterwards.
If Real Madrid do return to the transfer market, a player with a profile similar to Rodri would appear the logical target: someone able to retain possession, dictate the pace of a game and protect the defence through anticipation when the team does not have the ball.
The Athletic’s player-role analysis uses almost 40 data points from Europe’s five major leagues to identify players with similar characteristics. Rodri is classified as a “tempo controller”, the profile Real Madrid are considered to need most.
According to the model, Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlovic is the closest stylistic match. He is a dependable passer who combines athleticism and physical strength with the ability to provide 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 secure possession. His willingness to move to Real Madrid, after developing through La Masia and reaching Barcelona’s first team, would be uncertain.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex Garcia is also identified as an interesting candidate. 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 from one side of the pitch to the other.
That quality would address a weakness Real Madrid have experienced since Kroos left. Garcia has also adapted to the faster pace and more frequent transitions of the Bundesliga.
The list includes two other familiar names. Bayer Leverkusen’s Palacios offers aggressive defensive work alongside the ability to play progressive passes, while Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller has long been regarded as a potential elite midfielder capable of controlling the tempo of matches.
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