The midfield remains a position Real Madrid have not satisfactorily reinforced this summer despite bringing in Bernardo Silva, and the fact that the club were pushing for Rodri in itself is testament to the fact that there is a palpable void.
The Spaniard’s rejection, however, triggered a series of reports from the Valdebebas conveying faith in the existing squad, and it now appears that Jose Mourinho trusts the existing core to come good.
Yet, there have been constant rumours linking Real Madrid to potential targets in the transfer window, with Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi standing out as one of the top such candidates.
No basis for the link
As relayed several times in the past week, Real Madrid have been keeping tabs on Zubimendi as a midfielder they highly value and see as a potential target.
MARCA, however, comes out to blatantly deny any such interest.
A potential target for Real Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
According to the Spanish outlet, all rumours about a possible operation between Arsenal and Real Madrid for Zubimendi simply have no basis.
As matters stand, there is no situation brewing, contrary to recent reports.
What the update clarifies once again is that Mourinho does not see any urgent need for a new signing and that Real Madrid may well be done on the transfer market front.
All eyes on the French duo
The only scenario where Real Madrid will push for a new midfield acquisition is if any player in midfield leaves in the coming weeks or suffers a serious injury, both of which appear highly unlikely at this point in time.
Only a departure in midfield will open the possibility of a signing. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga have all been linked with exits this summer, and all three players have stayed with varying degrees of conviction.
In the Uruguayan star’s place, the player flat-out refused to leave while Tchouameni flirted a little with Manchester United before earning clarity that he wishes to stay.
Camavinga, meanwhile, has been actively pushed by the club to leave but has refused to do so as he wishes to prove his worth to Jose Mourinho.
A departure, thus, is unlikely, as is the potential signing of Zubimendi from Arsenal.