Real Madrid lit up the transfer market this past summer by signing half a dozen players, with headline names such as Yan Diomande, Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate.

But one name missing from that list was Rodri. The former Manchester City midfielder was destined for a move to Santiago Bernabeu, shortly after a successful World Cup campaign.

However, a late change of heart saw Rodri opted for a move to arch-rival Barcelona – a switch that was always going to create controversy.

One month into the new season, Rodri has now finally opened up about his transfer saga in the summer that involved a tug of war between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Rodri reveals Real Madrid were offering everything to sign him in the summer. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The midfielder admitted that Real Madrid were indeed keen on acquiring his services and were ready to throw everything at him.

“Real Madrid really tried hard. They wanted to sign me, we had direct talks and they came with everything they had to make it happen,” he told COPE (h/t Fabrizio Romano ).

Of course, it wasn’t enough at the end as Rodri decided to join a Barcelona team, which had a large contingent of Spanish players who had shared the dressing room with him for La Roja .