Real Madrid interested in La Liga midfielder also tracked by Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Although we are yet to even reach the halfway point of the season, Real Madrid have already started their preparations for the next one.

The club are hard at work trying to secure the services of a new central defender for the summer of 2026, preferably on a Bosman deal, with Dayot Upamecano emerging as the ideal target.

Real Madrid are equally keen on signing a new central midfielder, as they look to find alternatives to Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Real Madrid interested in Mendoza

According to Il Messaggero (h/t Diario AS), one of the players Real Madrid are tracking this season is Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza.

At just 20 years of age, Mendoza has established himself as a key operator in Elche’s midfield, impressing onlookers with his technical prowess.

Rodrigo Mendoza has been one of the rising stars in La Liga this season. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)

His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid one of the clubs interested in his services.

Stiff competition from Man City

However, Real Madrid may face a difficult time trying to sign Mendoza, as the player is on the radar of several other clubs in Europe as well.

One of them is Manchester City, with coach Pep Guardiola particularly keeping an eye on the Elche man’s progress this season.

Other than Man City, Mendoza is also on the radar of Italian giants Juventus, so Real Madrid will have to beat these clubs if they are to sign the Elche starlet.

However, these are still early days, and one must point out that Real Madrid’s charm in Spain could potentially hand them an advantage for Mendoza, who might be wary about moving abroad at such a young age.