Real Madrid Transfer News: Manchester City Want Dani Carvajal, Latest Rumours
Incoming Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reportedly wants to sign Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal this summer. The current Bayern Munich chief wants defensive reinforcements when he takes over at the Etihad Stadium, but there are doubts whether Spain full-back Carvajal would welcome the move.
Laura Rubio and Sarah Farrell of Spanish source Marca noted how Guardiola has Carvajal near the top of his list of potential new signings: "Pep understands that the youngster is a quality player and good at going forward, and every time he runs onto the pitch, he shows commitment and desire, which he can bring a lot to a new-look City."
But the same report indicates how Carvajal is likely to resist the move, despite competition for his place in the Spanish capital:
"One problem however is that the player has made it clear his desire is to stay at Real.The recent signing of Danilo may help to change his mind because the Brazilian, signed in the summer for 30 million euros, is challenging Carvajal for a regular place in the starting XI and has often been preferred to him.
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An issue with relying on Danilo's presence tempting Carvajal to move on is how the former has struggled since signing from Porto last summer.
During Madrid's recent 4-0 league win over Eibar, Sid Lowe of the Guardian described how Danilo is not exactly popular among the team's supporters:
In fairness to Carvajal, he defended the player competing for his position. Speaking to Spanish outlet AS (h/t Goal.com's Patric Ridge), Carvajal dubbed the jeers directed at Brazilian defender Danilo as "unjust."
But whether the club's fans are being harsh or not, Danilo's appearances have coincided with Madrid's struggles this season, according to Lowe:
In this context, it would make sense for Los Blancos to keep Carvajal in the fold a little longer. The 24-year-old is a key part of Madrid's attacking game, a fact evidenced by four assists in La Liga and a goal in the UEFA Champions League this season, per WhoScored.com.
Changes are needed in the current Los Blancos squad. But Carvajal's presence means right-back is one position the club need not worry about.
The same is not true for left-back.
Ricardo Rodriguez's Willingness to Move Talked Up
Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez's father has suggested his son would welcome a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. Jose Manuel Rodriguez made the comments after his son scored from the spot in Wolfsburg's 2-0 win over Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, per Marca's Antonio Estevez and Aaron Gratton: "It would be a major jump in his career. Playing for Real Madrid is the dream of any footballer."
Back in January, Santiago Siguero wrote in Marca how Los Blancos may have to pay as much as €35 million for Rodriguez. Siguero stated how the 10-time European Cup winners had been "carefully scouring the market for a left-back."
That's understandable considering how inconsistent incumbent Marcelo is. The Brazilian is terrific going forward, combining pace and power with a keen eye for goal.
Yet the 27-year-old is certainly vulnerable defensively. He's often caught out of position and is rash when making a tackle.
But if the Spanish giants decide Rodriguez is really the man to replace Marcelo, the potential asking price won't be the only challenge to overcome. As Estevez and Gratton noted, the player is also drawing interest from both Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Still just 23, Rodriguez is a talented defender with room to get even better. Things have become stale with Marcelo manning the left side, so now's a good time for a change in the Real defence.
But Madrid should maintain the status quo on the right side, meaning keeping Carvajal out of City's clutches.
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