Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 19
Mourinho Says Real Madrid Closed Market After Missing Rodri to Barcelona
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 19

Mourinho Says Real Madrid Closed Market After Missing Rodri to Barcelona

3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 19

Summary

  • Real Madrid will make no more signings unless something changes, Jose Mourinho said after Rodri completed his move from Manchester City to Barcelona.
  • Mourinho said Madrid made Rodri a “very good offer” and he spoke to the Spain captain twice, but the midfielder’s doubts made clear he was not fully committed.
  • The coach insisted Madrid does not need Rodri, saying a club of its stature cannot wait on hesitant players and already has enough quality in the squad.
  • Madrid, coming off a second straight season without a major trophy, has already added Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomande.
  • Mourinho, officially presented Tuesday after returning for a second stint, opens his new La Liga campaign at Espanyol on Saturday.

Insights

Did Mourinho really reject Rodri over hesitation, or is Real Madrid hiding a massive transfer market failure?
Will Rodri's choice to reject Madrid for Hansi Flick's vision ultimately shift the balance of power in Spanish football?
How will Barcelona balance their finances after committing nearly 93 million euros to a 30-year-old midfielder?