Real Madrid Transfer News: Ricardo Rodriguez Eyed by Rafa Benitez, Fresh Rumours

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is hoping for president Florentino Perez to sign "a series of players" in the January transfer window, one of whom is marauding Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez.

That's according to Sport's Fernando Baquero, who notes Los Blancos are hoping to recruit competition for Marcelo and have previously attempted to land the 23-year-old.

Per the report, Rodriguez said of rumours linking him to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer: "It’s an interesting offer, but I’m a Wolfsburg player and I will continue as a Wolfsburg player. They are just rumours."

The Switzerland international, who speaks fluent Spanish owing to his Chilean and Spanish descent, is one of the top full-backs in the Bundesliga and is known for his impressive contributions going forward.

While he has only managed two goals and assists apiece this season, last year the defender scored an incredible 10 goals and assisted a further five in all competitions.

As WhoScored.com reveals, he is an exceptionally creative talent:

Per Squawka, Rodriguez has also won 20 tackles and 27 aerial duels in just 12 Bundesliga appearances this term, showing his defensive capabilities.

It will be difficult to land a player of his quality in January, though, even for Real.

Indeed, Rodriguez has made no secret of his love for rivals Barcelona. Per Baquero, he once said: "I watch all the [Barca] games that I can. I like Carles Puyol, for his character and professionalism, and Dani Alves, for his attacking way of playing."

With that being the case, it will take a huge effort on Los Blancos part financially to convince not only Wolfsburg to sell, but Rodriguez to make the switch.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Meanwhile, Real are eager to appease James Rodriguez and keep him at the club in the wake of interest from Paris Saint-Germain, and to that end, they are set to offer him a new deal with "very favourable terms," according to Calciomercato (h/t Fichajes, via Football Espana).

Denis Cheryshev could be on his way out of the club, though, according to Villarreal coach Marcelino—who managed the Russian last season during his loan spell. 

Per Cadena Ser (h/t Football Espana), he said:

"

I don’t know if Cheryshev is finished here. It will depend on all parties. Denis would come because he wants to go and I think he wants to come here, but Madrid have to decide.

I don’t know what the circumstances will be, if they are favourable or not. I don’t know if Florentino Perez is upset with us. I don’t know anything, I don’t know if it will have an affect or not.

"

The winger has appeared for just 117 minutes this season and faces serious competition for places at the Bernabeu, so expect him to be allowed to depart in January.