Real Madrid prepared to spend €16-18 million on La Liga midfield talent | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s defeat to Liverpool last night highlighted the lack of a creative presence from midfield as they simply failed to muster up any major attacking threat at Anfield.

It has seemingly prompted the club management to consider addressing the issue by making a signing, with Los Blancos now revisiting their interest in Elche midfield prospect Rodrigo Mendoza.

Real Madrid ready to push for Mendoza

Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Real Madrid are once again targeting Rodrigo Mendoza, the young Elche star who has attracted widespread attention across Spain.

The 20-year-old midfielder has been on the radar of several major clubs since last season, when Real Madrid seriously considered bringing him into Castilla.

However, Elche’s promotion and their decision to promote him to the first team prevented his departure. The situation, however, could be very different in 2026.

Rodrigo Mendoza on Real Madrid’s radar. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Real Madrid now intend to take his signing very seriously in the coming months, as both the club and coach Xabi Alonso are highly interested in the player.

The plan is to open negotiations with Elche at the end of the season, with the aim of signing him but potentially allowing him to remain there on loan for another year.

Although his market value is currently €9 million, according to Transfermarkt, Real Madrid understand they may have to pay between €16 and €18 million to complete the deal, possibly less if Elche are relegated at the end of the season.

As long as the transfer fee does not exceed that range, Real Madrid are open to finalising the signing of the young midfielder.

With both Alonso and Juni Calafat in favour of the move, all that remains is for Florentino Perez to give the green light for Real Madrid to begin formal steps towards signing the midfielder, who is viewed as one of the future greats of Spanish football.