Despite signing several new players, Real Madrid’s summer transfer window looked incomplete after having missed out on Rodri.
The Spanish giants were close to acquiring the services of the Manchester City star, but a late and sharp turnaround saw him join bitter rivals Barcelona.
The missed opportunity to sign Rodri has come back to haunt Real Madrid, as the club have lacked stability in the middle of the park this season.
How Real Madrid missed out on Rodri
Real Madrid fumbled the Rodri deal badly. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
A recent report from Diario SPORT has given additional insights into the Rodri transfer saga, revealing how Barcelona were able to engineer a move for the midfielder.
According to the report, Rodri had effectively reached an agreement with Real Madrid before Barça ever entered the picture.
The deal appeared on course, with the World Cup-winning captain ready to make the switch to the Spanish capital.
The problems, however, began when Madrid attempted to renegotiate the financial terms late in the process.
Juni Calafat, the club’s director of international football and an advisor to Florentino Perez, pushed to finalise the operation at a reduced cost, in essence beginning to haggle over a player of Rodri’s stature.
That approach did not sit well with the midfielder’s entourage, who were already uneasy about the treatment they had received.
Doubts also crept in over joining a dressing room in turmoil, and adapting to Jose Mourinho after thriving under Pep Guardiola and Luis de la Fuente.
Barcelona’s all-out push
Real Madrid are ruing missing out on Rodri. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Deco was alerted that a window of opportunity had emerged, and Hansi Flick gave his immediate approval to pursue the best midfielder in the world.
From there, the entire club mobilised. Barça first spoke to Manchester City, who confirmed they would respect the player’s wishes, with the existing relationship between Deco and Hugo Viana smoothing the path.
Deco then sold Rodri on the project, assuring him the team would take a significant leap forward and had the tools to challenge for the Champions League.
Flick called personally, while the Blaugrana’s World Cup winners, led by Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal, urged him to pick Barcelona over a Madrid side in turmoil.
The decisive moment came in a video call with Laporta, Flick and Deco, where Rodri was made to feel truly wanted.
Barça matched the very terms Madrid had offered before Calafat intervened, and that ultimately made all the difference. Rodri, for his part, remains grateful for Real Madrid’s interest but he is now enjoying life in Catalonia.