Rodri: Real Madrid went all out to sign me before Barcelona move

Rodri says Real Madrid's pursuit of him this summer was serious and made his choice of Barcelona harder. The midfielder told COPE's El Partidazo that the interest was genuine and that he spoke to people at the club.

"Madrid showed interest from the very beginning, they behaved impeccably, and their offers were direct," Rodri said. "I don't know what going 100% means, but it's clear they were interested and they went all in with pretty much everything they had, which I appreciate."

Asked whether he spoke to Florentino Perez, he declined to say. He did confirm that people at Madrid conveyed their enthusiasm, "which made my decision more difficult". What settled it, he said, was "a sports-related matter" rather than one moment.

The interview also covered the Madrid derby, which Atlético won. Rodri called it an even game but said Atlético fully deserved the result. Two refereeing incidents came up. "The one involving Cuti Romero is more difficult, but maybe the one with Kang-in, which I don't think he does on purpose, I do think could have been a red card," he said. Kang-in Lee, a forward, joined Atlético in August and has scored twice for them.

Rodri did not read the derby as a conspiracy. "It harms football. We have to try to avoid that kind of discourse. We're all human and we all make mistakes. It's fine to defend your club and your position, but only up to a point," he said.

Mundo Deportivo reports that he has stepped into Hansi Flick's midfield in six games. It adds that he told the paper he spoke to Mourinho to thank him personally for Madrid's interest. Madrid, the paper says, are still looking for an organiser to fill the gap left by Kroos and Modric. Bernardo Silva arrived from the same summer window and has yet to score for them.

If Rodri's form holds, the gap between the two clubs' midfields may become a talking point in itself. Rodri’s form will keep Madrid’s search for a playmaker on the agenda into winter.