At the Real Madrid offices, they know exactly what they're looking for to complete their squad. The name of Rodri Hernández, current Manchester City star and recent Ballon d'Or winner, has been one of the most coveted targets for the Spanish giants. However, despite the admiration for his profile, the transfer has cooled off and will not be a real option this summer.

The 29-year-old Spanish midfielder is highly valued at the Santiago Bernabéu, with reports in the UK even suggesting a potential offer of around €115 million. But sources at Valdebebas firmly deny this. The operation is considered too complex — not just financially, but also because the City board is unwilling to ease his departure.

Beyond the high cost, another key factor is the player’s physical condition. Rodri has just recovered from a serious knee injury that sidelined him for several months. Real Madrid does not want to take unnecessary risks and prefers to assess his performance throughout this season before taking any steps.

Xabi Alonso's Plan Takes a New Direction

For Xabi Alonso, securing a solid defensive midfielder is a top priority. Rodri fits perfectly into his tactical vision as the ideal holding midfielder. But with the transfer proving difficult, the Basque coach will have to work with what's already available: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Güler, although none truly match the Spanish international’s profile.

Meanwhile, the planning of the new era at the Bernabéu continues. The signings of Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras, Franco Mastantuono, and Trent Alexander-Arnold show that the club has prioritized reinforcing a defense that suffered from multiple injuries last season.

The departure of legends like Luka Modric, now at Milan, signals the beginning of a new chapter at the club led by Florentino Pérez. Lucas Vázquez and Jesús Vallejo have also exited, while the futures of Rodrygo Goes and Dani Ceballos remain uncertain.

With LaLiga about to kick off, Real Madrid is still shaping a competitive squad to reclaim the throne. But for now, the Rodri transfer is off the table… at least until next summer.