Barcelona makes offer for Rodri as Manchester City seeks higher valuation
Barcelona has submitted an offer to Manchester City for midfielder Rodri. The proposal is valued at approximately €45 million, with additional add-ons included. However, Manchester City views this initial offer as significantly below the figure they would require to even initiate negotiations for a potential transfer.
Reports indicate that Manchester City would seek a higher amount to sanction Rodri’s departure. The Premier League club maintains that no substantial club-to-club discussions are currently underway, as they have not yet received what they consider a serious bid.
Barcelona’s Strategic Pursuit
Barcelona’s interest in Rodri follows earlier reports that Real Madrid was also working on a deal for the player. Rodri’s contract with Manchester City is set to expire in 2027, and he has reportedly shown little inclination to extend his current terms. The midfielder was a key figure in Spain’s 2026 World Cup victory, where he was awarded the Golden Ball after his team’s win against Argentina in the final.
The appeal of Barcelona’s project to Rodri is attributed to their playing style and a dressing room that includes eight members of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad. Rodri had previously expressed a desire to return to Spain and play in La Liga again before the end of his career, though he also acknowledged the appeal of representing Real Madrid.
Barcelona’s pursuit of Rodri comes as the club will be without midfielder Frenkie de Jong for the start of the 2026-27 season due to a medial collateral ligament injury in his right knee. This summer, Barcelona has already signed wingers Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund. The club is also targeting a new striker following Robert Lewandowski’s departure, with Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez reportedly being pursued.
Behind the Scenes Negotiations
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, played a crucial role in the club’s efforts to secure Rodri. Following a short break in Croatia, Deco returned to Barcelona instead of directly joining the team’s pre-season training camp in England. During this time, he held a significant meeting regarding Rodri’s transfer, having already made initial contact with the player’s representatives to understand the terms of a potential deal.
The club requested strict secrecy from all parties involved to prevent any leaks that could disrupt the negotiations, particularly given the competition with Real Madrid. A direct meeting between Rodri and Deco took place at a luxury hotel in Catalonia, lasting approximately two and a half hours. During this meeting, Deco outlined Barcelona’s sporting project, Rodri’s potential role within the team, and coach Hansi Flick’s technical vision for the club’s midfield.
This meeting reportedly shifted Rodri’s position significantly. While Real Madrid had been considered the frontrunner, Rodri had not given his final approval before meeting with Deco. Hansi Flick also engaged directly with Rodri through several calls, explaining his technical vision and the leadership role he envisioned for the midfielder.
Dani Codina, Barcelona’s head of player services, also contributed to the negotiations. His previous relationship with Rodri during their time at Manchester City helped foster trust during the talks. Codina assisted in arranging the secret meeting between Rodri and Deco, further strengthening the player’s connection to Barcelona’s project.
Impact on Manchester City
For Manchester City, this summer has already seen significant changes, with Pep Guardiola departing after a decade and long-serving players Bernardo Silva and John Stones also leaving. The club has strengthened its midfield with the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. Manchester City was also reportedly pushing to sign Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, who impressed at the World Cup.
Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico in 2019. During his tenure, he has won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the Champions League. He has made 298 appearances for the club, scoring 28 goals and providing 32 assists. Rodri underwent minor back surgery after the World Cup and is expected to return before the end of August.
The midfielder sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the start of the 2024-25 campaign and also experienced hamstring and groin issues last season, featuring 33 times across all competitions. Contacts between Barcelona and Rodri’s representatives continued amid media silence, with confirmation received last Thursday that Barcelona’s project had gained the player’s favour, moving negotiations into an advanced stage.
Source: goal.com
