Real Madrid will break transfer rule to sign 'best midfielder in England'

Real Madrid are prepared to break their own in house transfer rules to sign the Premier League's 'best midfielder' this summer.

Life following Carlo Ancelotti's exit from the Spanish capital have been far from expectations, with replacement Xabi Alonso leaving the club after their Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona.

New first team signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen haven't been flops at the Bernabeu, but they haven't had the instant impact many expected when they arrived for last year's Club World Cup.

However, despite no silverware to date, Madrid still remain in the La Liga title race sitting just one point behind Barcelona, and remain in the hunt for a record 16th Champions League title.

Madrid will face Manchester City for the fifth straight season in the knockout stages, and according to reports in Spain they may be trying to sneak one of their stars back on Madrid bus.

It is no secret that Los Blancos are in the market for a midfielder, after the exits of Toni Kroos and Luca Modric in recent seasons, and they have reportedly identified Rodri as the ideal replacement.

Spanish reporter Ramon Alvarez de Mon has claimed that the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is the Spanish giants number one target, ahead of the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Vitninha.

Rodri for Manchester City in 2026 (credit: getty)

Madrid ready to break their own rules for Rodri

Rodri was widely regarded as the most important player in the Premier League prior to his ACL injury in 2024, but has found it difficult to recapture his Ballon d'Or winning form in recent seasons.

The 29-year-old has endured another injury hit season this campaign, starting just 11 times in the Premier League, with Madrid monitoring his fitness closely.

According to the report, Rodri will have to prove his fitness ahead of the summer transfer window for Madrid to commit to signing the Spanish international.

De Mon wrote on X: "Rodri is the midfielder Real Madrid wants. The Madrid club will assess his fitness leading up to the World Cup.

The reporter added: "It is estimated that he could cost around 50 million euros."

While around £40m seems a bargain for a player who was crowned the world's best just two years ago, any sort of price tag for an elite player would be breaking Madrid's clear transfer strategy of late.

Over the last five years, Madrid's transfer philosophy has involved two clear methods, signing world class free agents in the prime of their careers, such as Antonio Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold and Kylian Mbappe, and spending big money on potential, such as Huijsen, Jude Bellingham.

Rodri fits neither of those categories, but with his current contract keeping him at the Etihad until 2027, £40m could be a steal for the Madristas if the midfielder demonstrates he is back to his best.