Barcelona midfielder Rodri has disclosed that he spoke at length with Jose Mourinho prior to his move to Barcelona in the summer.

The Spain captain was heavily linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu but made a shocking U-turn to join Madrid's arch-rivals Barcelona.

The 30-year-old joined the Spanish champions in deal worth a £65.4 million from Manchester City following a successful FIFA World Cup campaign.

In a latest interview with COPE, the former Villarreal midfielder revealed that Mourinho was keen on signing him for Los Blancos and went at length to share his football ideas with him.

“Real Madrid tried strongly. José Mourinho shared with me his enthusiasm to get me, his football idea… it attracted me a lot, he’s a top coach,” Rodri said.

“Then I decided to join Barça and not Madrid due to a sporting decision, here I can grow way more.”

Rodri has had a brilliant start to his campaign at Barcelona, helping Hansi Flick's side to win all seven of their opening fixtures in the Spanish La Liga.

WDN