Manchester City reject initial Barcelona offer for Rodri
Manchester City has turned down an initial offer from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri. The bid was considered significantly below City’s valuation for the Spain international. City is reportedly seeking a higher amount for the 30-year-old midfielder, who is in the final year of his contract.
Discussions regarding a potential transfer have paused for now. However, Barcelona is reportedly preparing another offer for Rodri in the coming days. Sources in Spain suggest that Rodri would prefer a move to Barcelona over Real Madrid.
Barcelona’s Strategic Pursuit
Barcelona’s pursuit of Rodri has involved a high degree of secrecy, aiming to keep negotiations out of the public eye. This approach allowed the Catalan club to influence a deal that had previously appeared to favor Real Madrid.
The turning point in Barcelona’s efforts reportedly occurred on Thursday, July 30, when Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, returned to Barcelona from a break in Croatia. Instead of immediately joining the team’s pre-season training camp in England, Deco dedicated his time to a crucial meeting regarding Rodri’s transfer. This meeting followed initial contacts with Rodri’s representatives to understand the terms of a potential deal.
According to reports, Barcelona requested all parties involved to maintain strict confidentiality to prevent any leaks that could disrupt the negotiations, especially given the competition with Real Madrid. Rodri was in Catalonia at the end of July for a wedding, which facilitated a direct meeting between him and Deco at a luxury hotel. The meeting, which lasted approximately two and a half hours, saw Deco outline Barcelona’s sporting project, the role envisioned for Rodri within the team, Hansi Flick’s technical vision, and the player’s importance in strengthening Barcelona’s midfield for the future. This meeting reportedly shifted Rodri’s stance, as he had previously engaged in talks with Real Madrid but had not given his final approval.
Flick also played a direct role in persuading Rodri, making several calls to the midfielder to explain his technical vision and the leadership position he desired for him within the squad. Club officials believed direct communication between the coach and player was essential, particularly with Real Madrid’s strong interest. Securing the deal was seen as a demonstration of Barcelona’s determination to acquire one of the world’s top midfielders.
Dani Codina, Barcelona’s head of player services, also contributed significantly to the negotiations. His previous relationship with Rodri during their time at Manchester City helped foster trust and comfort during the discussions. Codina assisted in arranging the secret meeting between Rodri and Deco, further connecting the player to Barcelona’s project.
Following continued contact between Barcelona and Rodri’s representatives amidst media silence, the club received confirmation last Thursday that Rodri was swayed by Barcelona’s project, indicating that negotiations had reached an advanced stage. Barcelona views this potential acquisition as a strategic move to rebuild its midfield, bringing in an experienced leader and delivering a blow to Real Madrid’s ambitions.
Manchester City’s Stance and Potential Replacements
Manchester City does not wish to sell Rodri, who captained Spain to their World Cup victory, and instead aims to agree on a new contract with him. However, if Rodri expresses a desire to leave, the club would not prevent his departure.
As City considers its options for a replacement, reports from Italy suggest that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández is manager Enzo Maresca’s preferred signing. Earlier this summer, it was reported that Fernández was not a primary target for City, as their focus was on retaining Rodri. The evolving situation means that circumstances regarding Fernández could change, and City might look to sign two players if Rodri moves to Barcelona.
Fernández is expected to return to Chelsea training next week after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina. His future at Chelsea remains uncertain despite a contract until 2032. Fernández was omitted from the squad for two games in April after expressing a desire to live in Madrid, though he and his agent later apologized for these comments. They are also seeking improved terms at Chelsea.
Real Madrid issued a statement last month denying any interest in signing Fernández. Fernández had a positive working relationship with Maresca during the Italian’s tenure at Chelsea.
Rodri’s contract with City expires in 2027, and he has reportedly shown little inclination to extend his terms. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was crucial in Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph and received the Golden Ball after their victory over Argentina in the final. Rodri underwent minor back surgery after the World Cup but is anticipated to return before the end of August.
During the April international break, Rodri mentioned his 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 Madrid. Barcelona’s interest in 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 tear in his right knee.
City has already seen significant changes this summer, with Pep Guardiola departing after a decade, along with long-serving players Bernardo Silva and John Stones. City has reinforced its midfield with the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. Reports also indicate they are pursuing Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, who impressed at the World Cup. Rodri joined City from Atletico in 2019, making 298 appearances for the club.
Source: skysports.com
