La Liga legend disagrees with Real Madrid’s stance on Rodri transfer: ‘A unique player’ | OneFootball

The debate surrounding Rodri’s potential move to Real Madrid continues to divide opinion, but former Spain international Santi Canizares believes the club should focus on what the midfielder can deliver on the pitch rather than whether he represents a long-term financial investment.

Real Madrid have repeatedly been linked with the Manchester City star in recent weeks, even though the club has publicly played down reports of negotiations. 

Internally, however, there are differing views over whether signing a player approaching the latter stages of his career fits the club’s transfer strategy.

Canizares feels Real Madrid are looking at Rodri the wrong way

Speaking to COPE, as reported by Defensa Central, Canizares argued that Rodri’s sporting value outweighs any concerns over resale potential.

“Financially, Rodri isn’t a player that Real Madrid will recoup their investment in, but in sporting terms, of course they will. 

Canizares has urged Real Madrid to overlook Rodri’s age. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

“We mustn’t forget that this is a football business, but you earn a lot of money through results. Rodri is a unique player,” he stated.

His comments arrive at a time when Rodri’s future remains one of the biggest talking points of the transfer window. 

The Spain international has entered the final year of his Manchester City contract, and reports suggest the Premier League champions could consider offers in the region of €60-70 million if a renewal is not agreed.

In fact, as reported before, Jose Mourinho is keen to bring the Ballon d’Or winner to the Santiago Bernabeu, believing he is the ideal midfielder to anchor his new-look side. 

While there has been no indication that Real Madrid have opened formal talks, the Portuguese coach is said to have made his preference known to club president Florentino Pérez.

Real Madrid are hesitant

Real Madrid are still unsure about signing Rodri. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The hesitation within the club comes from the fact that investing a significant fee in a player nearing the latter stages of his career does not fit with the recruitment model.

Yet Rodri is not a typical transfer target.

Since Toni Kroos retired, Madrid have lacked a midfielder capable of controlling the tempo of games with the same authority. 

Rodri offers exactly that profile – calm in possession, intelligent without the ball and consistently influential in the biggest matches. 

It is why figures such as Canizares believe the discussion should centre on immediate sporting impact rather than future resale value.