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Dani Carvajal has said Spain teammate Rodri would be the perfect fit at Real Madrid and that he has been encouraging the Manchester City midfielder to return to his homeland while at the European Championships in Germany.
Rodri joined Manchester City in 2019 having previously played for Atlético Madrid and Villarreal. He has a contract with the Premier League club until 2027.
Madrid have been slowly rejuvenating their midfield in recent years but could benefit with another addition in the middle after Toni Kroos’ retirement and with Luka Modric coming to the end of his career.
“I tell [Rodri] every day to come to Madrid,” Carvajal told COPE on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against England.
“I tell him: ‘Leave Manchester, there is no sun there, and come to Madrid, we need you. And what’s more, you’re from Madrid.'”
Asked how Rodri replies, the Madrid right-back added: “He says he has a contact, that there aren’t release clauses [in England] … He gives me the runaround basically, but he would be the perfect signing, no doubt. He is Spanish, from Madrid … He would fit in perfectly.”
Rodri has emerged as a key figure for his club and country in recent years, winning four Premier League titles and a Champions League with City and helping Spain reach the final in Germany.
There is a growing appreciation for him in Spain, with international teammate Dani Vivian saying this week he should already have won the Ballon d’Or last year after scoring the winner in the Champions League final.
However Rodri said he is happy where he is.
“I am at one of the best clubs in the world and I am really happy in England,” he told Diario AS on Thursday.
“I have three years left on my contract and, when the moment arrives, I will see. I don’t like to think long-term, it doesn’t make much sense.”
Rodri will come up against Man City teammates John Stones and Phil Foden in Sunday’s final against England.
“I know [England] well, I know all about the culture of English football,” he added. “They have a very talented team, very talented players who manage all aspects of the game well.
“They defend well, they can attack you, they are strong at set plays. We have to work on how to hurt them. We have our own strengths and the confidence that we can beat them.”
The Football Association (FA) want Gareth Southgate to stay on as England manager regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain, sources have told ESPN.
Southgate’s current contract expires in December, and the 53-year-old has repeatedly insisted he will only consider his position after the end of the tournament.
England were seconds from being knocked out at the round-of-16 stage by Slovakia before Jude Bellingham’s stunning 95th-minute equaliser, while Southgate had beer cups thrown at him after the group-stage draw against Slovenia.
It appeared increasingly likely that Southgate would walk away given the sentiment towards him but England’s dramatic run to the final in Germany could now prompt a change of heart.
Sources have told ESPN that the FA have always wanted Southgate to lead England into the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Doing so would require signing a new deal which would mark a decade in charge having succeeded Sam Allardyce as England boss in 2016.
The FA have been impressed with Southgate leading England to a first major final on foreign soil and back-to-back Euros finals after losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley three years ago.
By reaching the semifinals, final, quarterfinal and final of his four tournaments, Southgate has now secured more competitive knockout victories than every other England manager combined since 1966.
On the eve of the tournament, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “I think the world of Gareth, I think he has done a phenomenal job.
“I think he has transformed the fortunes of our team. That’s not just off the pitch, and you can see the culture, but also the performances on the pitch.
“Since 1966, he has won about half of our knockout games, which is a measure we really use, so we value him massively.”
Southgate is open to a return to club management one day and was among the options considered by Manchester United before they decided to retain Erik ten Hag for next season
