In a summer in which Real Madrid have spent €240million ($277m) on six new signings, one of the players they missed out on could end up defining their season.After The Athletic reported that Madrid were working on a deal to sign Rodri from Manchester City last month, it then became clear the 30-year-old prefers a move to their fierce rivals Barcelona. They have not yet secured a deal for the World Cup-winning Spain captain, but he will not be moving to the Bernabeu anytime soon.For Madrid, it is a blow in a position which has caused them a headache since Toni Kroos’ retirement in 2024. So, should we expect any other midfield signings? And what is being said behind the scenes?Why is midfield a problem position for Real Madrid?On the face of it, it is unclear: Real Madrid have seven midfielders vying for three positions in the 4-2-3-1 formation returning manager Jose Mourinho will be using. Those three roles are the two in holding midfield and one playmaker.

Real Madrid's senior midfielders MidfielderYear they joined clubAppearancesAurelien Tchouameni2022195Federico Valverde2018373Eduardo Camavinga2021223Jude Bellingham2023140Arda Guler2023112Thiago Pitarch2023 (academy)16

In certain moments during Madrid’s pre-season matches, Mourinho has deployed Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield when the team have possession — the right-back is no stranger to that role after his time at Liverpool. But it seems unlikely he will be used there as his primary position.The board have pointed to the team having so many midfielders and the variety of profiles on offer, from the box-crashing Jude Bellingham to the versatile new signing Bernardo Silva.But, going back to the exits of Kroos two years ago and Luka Modric in 2025, it is clear Madrid have lacked a midfielder who can consistently dictate the tempo of matches.Real Madrid have missed a tempo-setting midfielder since Toni Kroos’ retirement in 2024 (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)During those past two seasons, Madrid have failed to win any major title and an increasing number of voices within the club have highlighted the need to sign a player capable of dominating the centre of the park.The most notable figures to call for that have been two of the previous three coaches before Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso. Both the Italian and the now-Chelsea manager highlighted the need to strengthen midfield, which did not happen.Alonso’s replacement Alvaro Arbeloa, now in charge of Fulham, was a different case — he was promoted from the reserve team Castilla in January and had to adapt to the squad he had until the end of the campaign.But the idea remained on the table after Mourinho’s appointment in June. From the very first meetings to plan the season with the club’s sporting direction, the Portuguese made clear he wanted a “creative” midfielder.The club fulfilled that request, just not exactly how he wanted…