Jose Mourinho will be given a transfer budget to work with this summer as the veteran Portuguese coach returns to Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have failed to win a trophy since 2024 with Carlo Ancelotti removed last summer and replaced by Xabi Alonso. However, the former Spain international lasted just seven months in charge before walking out, as Alvaro Arbeloa saw out the 2025/26 campaign as interim boss.
Mourinho's arrival and a host of summer business has been delayed until after the club's presidential elections on June 7th. Florentino Perez is expected to retain control of the Spanish giants despite firm opposition to his leadership by emerging candidate Enrique Riquelme.
Riquelme has called for a change at the Estadio Bernabeu after 17 years of Perez's second regime at the top and the 37-year-old businessman has some ambitious targets in mind, including Manchester City and Spain star Rodri.
"I love Rodri, he's a fantastic player and the kind Real Madrid needs," he told ESPN, via Mundo Deportivo.
"I've got my eye on a player from the Spanish national team who will play at the World Cup. That's all I can say."
Rodri is under contract at City until 2027, with the Premier League giants keen to retain him via an extension up to 2030, but Pep Guardiola's exit could tempt him towards a return to Spain.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner joined City from Real's rivals Atletico Madrid in 2019, after his £61m release clause was triggered, and his value has since dropped to around £52m following a serious knee injury, but his experience could be vital back in Madrid.
Club captain Dani Carvajal has already departed as a free agent with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba also set to move on.