After Missing Out on Rodri, Mourinho's Real Madrid Solution Could Be… Bernardo

If you don't have Rodri, Bernardo Silva will do.

This could be a Spanish twist on a Portuguese adage, reflecting the situation Rodri's move to Barcelona has created for Real Madrid.

Just as José Mourinho believed he was on the verge of securing the signing of the midfielder, who was named the World Cup's best player, after weeks of negotiations, Barcelona swooped in and convinced Rodri to head to Catalonia instead.

While Manchester City still needs to be persuaded to sell the 2014 Ballon d'Or winner, Spanish media reports confirm that the 30-year-old has already given his assent to Laporta, making the deal seemingly irreversible.

Given this scenario, and the scarcity of players with Rodri's specific attributes in the market, Mourinho's solution might come from within his own ranks. A player who has shared the dressing room with the Spaniard at Manchester City for the past seven years: none other than Bernardo Silva!

The Portuguese coach reportedly sees in his compatriot the qualities needed to orchestrate Real Madrid's playmaking, while also taking on crucial defensive duties alongside Tchouaméni.

Both of Madrid's leading sports newspapers reveal this intention, arguing that while a market search to fill the void isn't entirely ruled out, it's no longer a priority, thanks to Bernardo Silva's versatility.