Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho revealed the reason behind his desire to sign Rodri, the captain of the Spanish national team.
Rodri completed his transfer to Barcelona during the ongoing summer transfer window, after competing with his rival Real Madrid.
Mourinho said in a statement at the press conference ahead of the start of their La Liga matches: "I don't think we have a lack in midfield."
In response to the question, why did you want to sign Rodri despite not having a lack in midfield: "Rodri would have been a great addition. He is a great player, with a lot of experience and a prestigious standing. If you can sign him, you definitely would."
He added, "We have Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, and Bernardo Silva, and Arda Guler; because I believe Arda can ultimately play in these positions as well."
He concluded his remarks about the team's midfield, "It's not that we are facing a problem or that we are forced to sign another player."
Real Madrid is preparing to visit Espanyol on Saturday evening in the second round of La Liga.
Real Madrid will play their postponed first-round match against Real Sociedad on Wednesday, August 26.
Regarding the players' readiness for the match, he replied, "We only have two players who will be absent from the match: Endrick and Tchouameni."
He concluded, "Endrick will be absent due to a minor muscle injury, and Tchouameni may be called up but will not start because he needs training sessions to reach match fitness due to the injury he suffered."
Real Madrid finished last season empty-handed after losing all domestic and continental titles.
Mourinho returned to manage Real Madrid from Portuguese club Benfica, replacing the team's previous manager, Alvaro Arbeloa.
During the summer transfer window, Real Madrid signed Yan Diomande from Leipzig, Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, Ibrahima Konate after the end of his contract with Liverpool, and Inter's right-back Denzel Dumfries by paying the release clause in his contract.
