From Spain: Real Madrid set to ruin Barcelona’s transfer plan and snatch player away

When Real Madrid agreed a deal with Flamengo for Vinicius Junior, the Champions League winners managed to beat Barcelona to secure his signature. The Catalan side had a verbal agreement with Vinicius Junior’s father and agent, but he ended up agreeing to join their rivals instead.

Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo now claims the same situation may repeat once again this summer. Real Madrid are looking to beat Ernesto Valverde’s side in signing Santos teenage star Rodrygo.

Earlier in May, Sport reported that Barcelona were working quickly to make sure Real Madrid didn’t beat them to one more signing. The Blaugrana have offered €20m to the Brazilian club, through their CEO Oscar Grau and general manager Pep Segura.

Mundo Deportivo claims the two made a trip to Brazil to convince Santos to agree a deal. They were even willing to allow Rodrygo to rejoin Santos on loan until 2020, so that he can continue his development.

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Real Madrid have now taken advantage of the situation, as it’s claimed the 13-time European champions have decided to pay the player’s €50m release clause.

A better package for the player from Real Madrid and their willingness to meet his release clause has put the Santiago Bernabéu outfit ahead of Barcelona in the race to sign Rodrygo.

It’s even a Catalan newspaper reporting this, and they usually side with Barcelona, so it could be that Mundo Deportivo want to make it seem that Madrid are willing to pay silly money.