Rodri Rejects Real Madrid to Join Barcelona
Rodrigo Hernández has officially turned down Real Madrid in favor of joining Barcelona. The transfer is

Jose Mourinho is reportedly very upset with Real Madrid's leadership regarding the club's handling of the transfer negotiations for midfielder Rodri. According to journalist Sergi Valentin, the situation has escalated to a point where Mourinho is concerned that Rodri may end up signing with Barcelona instead.
The conflict arises from errors made during the negotiation process, which have put the deal at risk. Initially, Rodri was inclined to join Real Madrid, but complications arose when Juni Calafat, the club's head of scouting, convinced President Florentino Perez to negotiate a lower transfer fee than originally anticipated. This delay allowed Barcelona's Hansi Flick and Deco to step in and successfully persuade Rodri to consider a move to Camp Nou.
Mourinho's disappointment stems from the fact that Real Madrid has seemingly missed out on a deal that was almost finalized. The Portuguese coach views securing a defensive midfielder as a top priority in his plans for the team's formation and strategy. Despite Barcelona's financial constraints potentially giving Real Madrid a slim chance to secure Rodri, Mourinho insists that the club must act quickly to find a high-caliber replacement.
After a recent 2-2 draw against Fiorentina in a friendly match, Mourinho openly criticized the performance of Real Madrid's players, indicating his growing frustration with the team's current state.
In a related development, Real Madrid has officially signed Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a record fee, signaling the club's ambition to dominate under Mourinho's leadership. Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior has broken his silence regarding transfer rumors and shared insights from his first conversation with Mourinho at Real Madrid.
As the transfer window progresses, Mourinho's demands for a top midfielder remain urgent, as he aims to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season.