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Rodri has opted for Barcelona, prompting Real Madrid to switch gears and search for other midfielders, including Enzo Fernandez and Adam Warton.

The transfer of Manchester City's midfielder Rodri to Real Madrid has fallen through. Spanish outlet Cadena SER reports that the player's agent, Pablo Barquero, confirmed the Ballon d'Or winner's decision to continue his career at Barcelona.

Despite showing respect for the Madrid side during negotiations, the clubs were unable to agree on a transfer fee, which Barcelona capitalised on. As a result, Real Madrid, under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, are now urgently seeking new options to strengthen their midfield and fill the role of a deep-lying playmaker.

Six candidates to replace him

Sports Illustrated journalists have identified six midfielders that Real Madrid may attempt to sign before the transfer window closes:

  • Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) — The Argentine has openly expressed his desire to move to Madrid. However, the main hurdle remains Chelsea's inflated asking price of $161.5 million (£120 million).
  • Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal) — Having joined the Gunners in the summer of 2025, Zubimendi could face stiff competition following Bruno Guimaraes's arrival.
  • Adam Warton (Crystal Palace) — The 22-year-old midfielder has been impressing observers with his game-reading abilities, though his transfer fee remains high due to his age and English nationality.
  • Manuel Locatelli (Juventus) — The 28-year-old Juventus captain is well-equipped to take on the role of a deep-lying distributor.
  • Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart) — The 25-year-old German is on the radar of the club’s scouts and has experience within Bayern Munich's setup.
  • Aleix Garcia (Bayer) — The 29-year-old Spanish playmaker is open to offers from La Liga giants and could provide a budget-friendly solution for Jose Mourinho.