Valdano: Rodri would offer Barcelona a boost but leave Real Madrid with the greater loss

Rodri is reportedly close to completing a move from Manchester City to Barcelona during the current summer transfer window, but Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano believes the midfielder’s departure would have a greater negative effect on his former club than his arrival would benefit their Spanish rivals.

Real Madrid had held talks with Rodri over a possible transfer and, according to the report, the Spain international had agreed to join the club. His plans then changed unexpectedly after Barcelona entered the race for his signature.

The proposed switch has generated significant reaction in Spain, with the rivalry between the two major clubs set to intensify further this season following developments involving the Spain captain.

Valdano, the former Argentina international and a respected Real Madrid figure, said Rodri would be an important strategic signing for Barcelona but would have had a more profound influence had he moved to the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Rodri’s signing is strategic for Barca. He will add a special touch to everything Hansi Flick proposes, but at Real Madrid he would have revolutionised the team’s style of play and improved everything around him,” Valdano said.

His comments were published by Defensa Central, which cited his analysis for Movistar.

Valdano compared the value Rodri could bring to each club, arguing that Barcelona would gain less from the transfer than Real Madrid would lose by failing to secure the player.

“For me, what Rodri would add to Barcelona is worth 35 million euros, while what Real Madrid would lose because of him is worth 40 million euros,” he added.

The former Real Madrid player therefore believes Rodri’s move to Barcelona would have a larger impact on Real Madrid’s season than on the Catalan club’s own performances.

Valdano went on to explain why he considers Rodri such an influential midfielder, highlighting the way he can improve the speed and quality of a team’s attacking play.

“The ball would have reached the forwards more quickly, and it would have reached them in better condition. This is the kind of influence produced by players who possess that quality. It does not necessarily show up in the number of goals, but rather in the way the team plays. For that reason specifically, this player is the best in the world,” he said.

Rodri’s possible move would add another significant element to the competition between Barcelona and Real Madrid. While Valdano accepts that the midfielder could bring a distinctive quality to Flick’s plans, his assessment is that the consequences for Real Madrid of missing out would be even more substantial.

The transfer has yet to be formally completed, but Rodri’s reported change of destination has already become one of the main talking points of the summer in Spanish football.