Barcelona Finalizes Rodri Transfer from Manchester City
Barcelona has reached an agreement to sign Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City. The transfer is expected to be finalised in the coming days. Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, is set to sign a four-year deal with the Spanish champions.
The deal for Rodri has drawn criticism from a Madrid-based journalist, Edu Aguirre, who questioned the necessity of the signing for Barcelona. Speaking on “El Chiringuito,” Aguirre expressed that he would have preferred to see Rodri join Real Madrid, but his primary concern was Barcelona’s decision to invest significantly in a position where he believes they already possess strong options.
Aguirre suggested that Barcelona’s board, led by Joan Laporta, pursued the deal to gain favour with fans, particularly after the club’s unsuccessful pursuit of Julián Álvarez. He noted that the acquisition of Rodri cost a huge sum.
Impact on Barcelona’s midfield
A central point of Aguirre’s critique focused on the potential impact of Rodri’s arrival on young Barcelona player Marc Bernal. Aguirre believes Bernal has the quality to fill Rodri’s role and that signing the Spain international could limit Bernal’s playing time.
Aguirre stated, “I think he is a good player, but for me he is unnecessary.” He added, “Marc Bernal is from Barcelona. He will cover him, he plays in the same position. I love this player.” The journalist questioned the decision to spend a substantial amount on Rodri when Bernal could potentially fulfil the role.
Despite his reservations about the transfer, Aguirre acknowledged Rodri’s ability, recognising him as one of the world’s top midfielders in his position. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is reportedly counting on Rodri to bring strength, experience, and stability to the team’s midfield.
The financial details of the transfer indicate that Barcelona secured Rodri for about £65m. This investment positions Rodri as one of the club’s significant signings in the current transfer window.
Manchester City’s midfield plans
Rodri’s departure marks the end of his seven seasons at Manchester City, where he made 298 appearances. During his time with City, he secured 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups, and the Champions League in the 2022-23 season.
City’s new boss, Enzo Maresca, commented on Rodri’s move after the team’s defeat by Arsenal in the Community Shield. Maresca highlighted Rodri’s achievements, including winning the World Cup and Ballon d’Or, stating that he is a top player and all teams need a player of his calibre.
Manchester City had previously rejected an initial offer for Rodri, who was entering the final year of his contract. While Real Madrid was once considered a potential destination, Barcelona intensified their efforts to complete the signing.
With Rodri’s departure, Manchester City is reportedly exploring options for midfield reinforcements. There has been ongoing speculation about City’s interest in Ayyoub Bouaddi, with reports suggesting the club has held talks with the Moroccan player. Bouaddi, who impressed at the recent World Cup, is described as a deep-lying midfielder similar to Rodri.
City’s radar also includes Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez. Despite not submitting a bid before Chelsea’s deadline, Manchester City is understood to believe a transfer for the Argentine could still be possible. Maresca, who managed Fernandez at Chelsea, is reportedly a fan of the player.
Another potential midfield target for City is Bournemouth’s Alex Scott. The England international has reportedly rejected contract offers from his current club amid interest from other Premier League teams. Bournemouth has expressed a desire to retain Scott, whose current deal extends until 2028.
Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister is also of interest to Maresca. The Argentine midfielder has two years remaining on his contract at Anfield and has been a consistent presence in Liverpool’s midfield.
This summer, Manchester City also signed England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, providing Maresca with additional flexibility in team selection.
Rodri missed a significant portion of the 2024-25 campaign due to a serious knee injury, and parts of the last season were affected by a hamstring issue. However, he returned to form at the recent World Cup, leading Spain to their second title and being named player of the tournament.
The transfer is expected to be completed in the coming days.
Source: goal.com
