In this piece, we take a look at why Real Madrid must sell a first team player in order to facilitate the potential signing of Rodri in this summer transfer window.
Earlier on this evening, Real Madrid announced the surprise signing of Levante striker Carlos Espi to replace Gonzalo Garcia, whom is set to join Premier League side Fulham, where he will reunite with Alvaro Arbeloa.
This is a simple 1 in 1 out situation. One squad space freed up, and one squad space taken up. No more complicated than that. The pending signing of Yan Diomande will be one extra player in, without someone coming out (yet).
Therefore, for the club to complete the signing of Rodri from Manchester City, a player will have to leave. There is only one more spot up for grabs. Now, that could change if someone like Franco Mastantuono leaves on loan, as has been touted a number of times.
Which would be pretty fitting, as that feels like a straight swap with Diomande, likewise with Espi and Garcia. Still, even if that happened and the club signed Rodri, they would then be full up again. Is that enough for the summer business?
Quite possibly, in fairness. That would be Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, Espi, Diomande and Rodri, as well as the return from loan for Endrick. That is quite a lot of additions it has to be said.
However. Then comes the situation with Vinicius Jr. Although talk of a move to Arsenal ahs certainly died down in recent days, he is still yet to sign a new contract and we know his deal expires next summer. It was said that he would talk with the club at the end of the month. Well, there have been no reports yet (and it feels like there would be), so perhaps they will commence quite literally tomorrow (Friday the 31st July). Let's see,
If he does depart, that would free up a spot for another player. Some have said that Kylian Mbappe could move to the left wing in that scenario, but he has played up front for club and country for so long now that it feels like he is a full time striker now.
Furthermore, Diomande has admitted he prefers to play off the right, so if the Brazilian winger did depart, perhaps it would be another simple 1 in 1 out situation. But let's see. Whatever happens, let's pray that the club can get the Rodri deal over the line this window. That is the most important thing, it could well be the difference between winning titles or not.
