Manchester City reject Barcelona’s £55m bid for Rodri
Manchester City have turned down a new offer of £55m from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri. This follows an initial offer from Barcelona last week, reportedly around £40m, which was also rejected. Reports indicate that City are looking for more than £60m for the 30-year-old player, who is in the final year of his current contract. Discussions regarding his future are ongoing.
Barcelona remains keen to secure Rodri’s services and is currently considering their next steps. Earlier this summer, it was reported that City prefers not to sell the World Cup-winning captain and instead aims to negotiate a new contract. However, it is understood that if Rodri expresses a desire to leave, the club would not prevent his departure.
Manager’s interest in Rodri
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is reportedly keen on bringing Rodri to the club. Flick is said to value Rodri’s technical abilities and overall quality on the pitch. However, experience and leadership are also significant factors for the German manager.
According to one newspaper report, Flick has requested the club to acquire players who possess the necessary experience and leadership qualities. This is considered a primary reason why Flick supported the potential deal for Rodri. The manager believes that in a squad with many young players, an experienced figure like Rodri could be crucial during important moments, particularly in the Champions League and during critical periods of the season.
The Barcelona squad has undergone significant changes in recent years, largely due to the integration of young talent into the first team. The departures of Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski this summer have reportedly left a void in terms of veteran presence and influence within the team. Flick is said to be seeking players who can provide leadership and command respect among the squad members.
Reijnders’ move to Saudi Pro League
Meanwhile, Manchester City has reached an agreement to sell Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah, a club in the Saudi Pro League. The transfer fee for Reijnders is approximately £51m. Reijnders, who joined City from AC Milan last summer, has expressed his desire for the move and is now expected to join the Saudi Pro League.
This potential departure means City could see two central midfielders leave the club. However, the club is also looking to sign new players in that position, with interest reported in Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Chelsea has reportedly set a deadline for City to make a £120m bid for Enzo Fernandez, while discussions with Lille for Bouaddi are ongoing.
The sale of Tijjani Reijnders is part of a series of significant sales for Manchester City in this transfer window. The club has reportedly generated over £100m from sales, including the departure of James Trafford and other smaller transfers, such as Nathan Ake’s move to Turkey. These sales are believed to put City in a stronger negotiating position and provide more funds for potential new signings in the current transfer window.
If City were to receive a substantial fee for Rodri, combining that with the funds from Reijnders’ sale could potentially reach the £120m figure that Chelsea is reportedly seeking for Enzo Fernandez.
Source: skysports.com
