Transfer Talk: Real Madrid want Ballon d’Or winner Rodri
The winter transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Madrid plot swoop for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri
There was outrage from Real Madrid that Rodri won the Ballon d’Or ahead of Vinícius Júnior on Monday, but AS now says that Los Blancos could look to sign the Manchester City midfielder.
Madrid reportedly feel that their midfield is faltering despite being heavily invested in, while Rodri has been a key figure for both City and the Spain national team.
Born just 39 kilometres from the Bernabeu, Rodri has a deal at City until 2027 and the Spanish outlet reports that the 28-year-old has been offered a contract renewal that would put him alongside Phil Foden and Erling Haaland as one of the club’s biggest earners.
However, Rodri is waiting for the result of the trial Man City are facing for Financial Fair Play irregularities and the consequences that might have on the Citizens’ project — especially as director of football Txiki Begiristain is leaving and manager Pep Guardiola’s future hasn’t been decided.
Madrid are aware of the situation and while they know it would be a major operation to land the Ballon d’Or winner, they feel that signing him would make sense; he is a good friend of Dani Carvajal and Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti is said to be a big fan.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Juventus are prioritising Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Milan Skriniar as they aim to replace the injured Bremer, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport, which adds that the Bianconeri could look for a loan in which Les Parisiens still pay some of the 29-year-old’s wages. Due to the difficulty in completing a move for the Slovakia international, Juventus have a long list of alternatives with Udinese‘s Jaka Bijol at the top of it.
– Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Leroy Sané when the winger’s contract with Bayern Munich expires in the summer, claims Football Insider. Several other English clubs are also reportedly interested in 28-year-old.
– Manchester City are looking at a move to re-sign Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro due to concerns over Kyle Walker’s future, according to Football Insider. Porro left City for Sporting CP initially on loan in 2020, before joining the Portuguese giants permanently in 2022. His move back to the Premier League with Spurs, however, has the defender back on City’s radar.
– Several top clubs are showing an interest in Virgil van Dijk with the Liverpool centre-back’s contract ending in the summer, reports Florian Plettenberg, although the Sky Sports Deutschland reporter insists that an extension to his stay at Anfield is still possible. No final decision has been made yet and discussions with the 33-year-old are ongoing.
– Juventus are planning to permanently sign Francisco Conceição from Porto for €30m, reports Nicolo Schira, with the winger impressing on loan in Turin. Juve boss Thiago Motta considers the 21-year-old as a key player in his squad and will try to complete the permanent signing earlier than they are contractually obliged to.