Barcelona Submits Offer for Manchester City Midfielder Rodri Amid Transfer Speculation
Barcelona has submitted an offer for Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The Spanish club’s proposal is reportedly around €45 million, with additional add-ons. However, City considers this figure to be significantly below the amount required to initiate negotiations for a potential transfer. City maintains that no substantial club-to-club discussions are currently underway, as they await a more serious bid. Rodri’s contract with City is set to expire in 2027, and he has reportedly shown little inclination to extend his current terms.
Barcelona’s pursuit and player’s preference
Barcelona’s interest in Rodri follows earlier reports that the club was exploring a deal for the midfielder. The midfielder is said to prefer a move to Camp Nou over other clubs, with the Barcelona project appealing to him due to its footballing style and the presence of several members of Spain‘s 2026 World Cup-winning squad in the dressing room.
This pursuit by Barcelona emerged after previous reports indicated that Real Madrid was also working on a deal for Rodri and had expressed confidence in reaching an agreement. Rodri has previously spoken about his desire to return to Spain and play in La Liga again before the end of his career, while also acknowledging the appeal of representing Madrid.
Barcelona’s interest in Rodri comes as the club faces the absence of midfielder Frenkie de Jong for the start of the 2026-27 season due to an injury to his right knee. The club has already signed wingers Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund this summer. A new striker also remains a target following Robert Lewandowski‘s departure, with Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez reportedly being pursued.
For Manchester City, this summer has seen significant changes, including the departure of Pep Guardiola after a decade in charge, along with long-serving players Bernardo Silva and John Stones. City has strengthened its midfield with the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. The club was also reportedly pushing to sign Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, who impressed at the World Cup.
Rodri joined City from Atletico in 2019. During his time with the club, he has won four Premier League titles, the FA Cup twice, the League Cup on three occasions, and the Champions League. He has made 298 appearances for the club, contributing 28 goals and 32 assists. He experienced hamstring and groin issues last season, featuring in 33 competitions. He also underwent minor back surgery after the World Cup.
Behind-the-scenes negotiations
Barcelona’s breakthrough in the pursuit of Rodri involved a discreet negotiation process. Details from a Catalan newspaper indicate that the club worked quietly to prevent any leaks that could jeopardise an agreement, especially given the competition with Real Madrid.
The turning point in Barcelona’s efforts reportedly occurred around July 30, when Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, returned to Barcelona before joining the team’s pre-season training camp in England. This unexpected return was for a crucial meeting regarding a strategic transfer.
Initial contacts had already been made with Rodri’s representatives to understand the terms of a potential deal. A secret meeting between Rodri and Deco took place at a luxury hotel when Rodri was in Catalonia for a wedding. During this meeting, which lasted approximately two and a half hours, Deco outlined Barcelona’s sporting project, the role envisioned for Rodri, Hansi Flick‘s technical vision, and the player’s importance in the club’s midfield plans for the coming years.
This meeting reportedly shifted Rodri’s position, as he had previously held talks with Real Madrid but had not given his final approval. Coach Hansi Flick also played a direct role, making several calls to Rodri to explain his technical vision and the leadership role he desired from the player. Dani Codina, Barcelona’s head of player services, also contributed to the negotiations, leveraging his prior relationship with Rodri from their time at Manchester City to foster trust and comfort during the discussions.
Following continued contacts between Barcelona and Rodri’s representatives, the club received confirmation that Rodri was swayed by Barcelona’s project, indicating that negotiations had entered an advanced stage. The series of calls and secret meetings helped Barcelona gain an advantage in securing the midfielder.
Rodri was instrumental in Spain’s 2026 World Cup victory and received the Golden Ball award following the tournament. He is expected to return to play before the end of August.
Source: nytimes.com
