Florentino Perez rejects Xabi Alonso's proposal for an improbable transfer to Manchester City, according to recent reports about Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri has hit a roadblock, with club president Florentino Perez reportedly turning down a transfer request from former Real Madrid player Xabi Alonso.
The Spanish giants have a history of high-profile transfers, including the acquisitions of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the potential signing of Rodri, who is widely credited for his role in Manchester City's success in the Premier League, Champions League, and Spain's Euro 2024, pales in comparison to these legendary signings.
Rodri, a Madrid native, fits the bill for the role that Real Madrid need to fill in their midfield, a position left vacant by the departures of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos this summer. The midfielder's potential interest in a move to Real Madrid may increase as his contract nears expiry, but his current contract with Manchester City runs until 2027.
Perez estimates that it would cost more than €100m to sign Rodri, a figure that seems excessive given Real Madrid's recent financial investments and the club's reluctance to spend such a substantial amount on a single player. Rodri is valued at €110m, according to Transfermarkt, but Perez might not see him as singularly valuable enough to justify breaking the bank, unlike previous iconic signings like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester City, on the other hand, views Rodri as an untouchable asset unless he himself expresses a desire to leave, which is seen as highly unlikely given his current contract status and commitment to the team. This makes negotiations challenging for Real Madrid, who may be exploring other midfield options or considering developing current players, such as Arda Güler, to fill the gap left by the departed legends.
Relations between Real Madrid and Manchester City have been strained due to the Spanish side's snubbing of the Ballon d'Or ceremony last year. Despite Rodri winning the Ballon d'Or last year, this has not significantly affected his potential interest in a move to Real Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono have already joined Real Madrid this summer, but the Rodri transfer saga continues to dominate headlines. Only time will tell if the financial and valuation discrepancies can be bridged, allowing for a potential move to take place.
Despite Real Madrid's pursuit of Rodri, the midfielder's current contract with Manchester City, which runs until 2027, makes negotiations challenging. In European leagues like the LaLiga, the acquisition of a player of Rodri's caliber could significantly bolster a team's midfield, given his success with Manchester City in various competitions.
