Jose Luis Rodriguez Talks Up Real Madrid Move Rumours

Real Madrid may complete the signing of Jose Luis Rodriguez as early as "this weekend," according to the Uruguay U20 defender.

Rodriguez revealed the interest of Los Blancos, as well as another unnamed club, during an interview with Sport 890 (h/t ESPN FC's Robbie Dunne): "My agent is talking to them now, and in these next few days I should be able to travel and try to close it. No, there is another side, but I would be lying if I told you I knew who it was."

The defender, who plies his trade for Uruguayan club Danubio, is expected to join Real's B team, per Dunne.

If a deal goes through, the player dubbed "El Puma" will join countryman and midfielder Federico Valverde in Real's reserve ranks. Rodriguez revealed he has been in touch with Valverde: "Yes, I've talked to him. It's very good to have people you know people somewhere you could end up living."

While he's confident of securing a move to the Spanish capital, Rodriguez did also admit he's "very anxious" while waiting for things to resolve: "I have already got my bags packed -- but only halfway."

A measure of the player's confidence about the chances of a move comes from Rodriguez declaring he won't feature for Danubio against Boston River on Sunday.

While this potential transfer is still being discussed, the merits of Real recruiting a gifted and versatile young defender are obvious. Los Merengues are beginning to age somewhat at the back. Skipper Sergio Ramos is 32, while left-back Marcelo is 30.

There is also a lack of depth behind the regular starters in manager Julen Lopetegui's back four. Nacho is usually first up to sub for either Ramos or fellow centre-back Raphael Varane, but Real need another option alongside the 28-year-old.

Rodriguez fits the bill as a 20-year-old with the pace and technique to succeed at the highest levels of European football.

If the defender moves to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, he can take heart from Valverde's progression from Castilla member and Deportivo La Coruna loanee to a candidate to replace Mateo Kovacic, on loan at Chelsea, in the senior squad, per Manu de Juan of AS.

Raiding South America for intriguing young talents has become a habit for Real in recent years. The club signed Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior for £38.7 million from Flamengo back in January.

Meanwhile, Los Blancos have recently been linked with 21-year-old Fluminense striker Pedro Guilherme, according to Sergio Santos Chozas of AS.

Adding Rodriguez to the list would be a boost to Lopetegui's attempts to refresh every area of the squad.