Real Madrid are chasing Rodri, but Villarreal already have the 'new Rodri' in Carlos Macia

Real Madrid have made Rodri their priority midfield target after the Manchester City star led Spain to a second World Cup title and collected the tournament's Golden Ball. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, a Madrid native with Atletico Madrid in his past, wants to come home, and an agreement with the player is in place. Yet Manchester City are digging in, which means Los Blancos may need to go above €70m to get their man this summer. They could wait a year and let his contract run down, but they want him now. All of which makes the situation at Villarreal worth a second look. The Yellow Submarine believe they already have the next Rodri developing in LaLiga: 17-year-old Carlos Macia. It was Villarreal who handed Rodri his breakthrough, and the club are confident Macia can follow a similar path to the top of the defensive midfield role. Macia was born in Elche and joined Villarreal's academy only last year, but his impact was immediate. He made his senior debut last season, was promoted to the first team in December, and delivered four appearances over the festive period before stepping back to the reserves. A final-day LaLiga appearance against Atletico Madrid gave him another taste of senior football, and he is now a full-time member of Inigo Perez's squad. His profile is striking. At 1.94m, Macia moves with unusual agility and looks natural on the ball. He stands out for tactical intelligence that is far above average and a reading of the game that lets him anticipate plays a split second before everyone else. In short, he plays like a veteran even though he is only 17. Interest in Macia is growing, and Villarreal are aware of it. Their CEO recently claimed the teenager could have been sold for a huge amount this summer, but the club consider him untouchable and expect him to stay at La Ceramica. That matters because Real Madrid have rehired Jose Mourinho with one clear aim: end the trophy drought as quickly as possible. The Portuguese coach has assembled a veteran-heavy squad and has shown little interest in youth. They have signed Carlos Espi and are on the verge of adding Yan Diomande, but those moves look like exceptions. While Mourinho chases the real thing, the next Rodri is developing in LaLiga right under his nose.