Barcelona ‘reach final decision’ on Rodri transfer amid talks with Man City as agent shares thoughts
Barcelona have now decided how much they’re willing to pay to sign Rodri from Manchester City, according to reports. The Spanish midfielder, who just won the World Cup this summer, was expected to join Real Madrid. But recently, Barcelona showed interest, changing the game.
AS reported that on Thursday, Rodri himself told Real’s management he won’t be joining them, explaining his reasons. Real isn’t upset and understands his choice. Now, Barcelona are the main favorite to bring the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner back to Spain, but they still need to agree on a price with City.
The clubs have started talks, and Fabrizio Romano says Barca is ready to offer a bit over €45 million for Rodri. City, who asked for at least €75 million in talks with Real, want more than Barcelona’s offer. Real reportedly were willing to offer up to €50 million. Despite the big price gap, it seems the transfer will happen sometime this summer.
Rodri’s agent, Pablo Barquero, told Spanish radio on Thursday night that Rodri has chosen to join Barcelona. Rodri still has one year left on his City contract and looks unlikely to renew. Reports say Barcelona are willing to pay him a huge deal worth around €30 million gross a year—about €576,000 or £493,000 a week.
Meanwhile, new City boss Enzo Maresca has already picked his ideal Rodri replacement: Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. The 25-year-old, who was sent off in the World Cup final playing for Argentina, has also been linked with Real Madrid lately.
Football.london said Fernandez told Chelsea last May he wanted to leave, with the club setting a £120 million price tag. No one has met that yet, and Real isn’t interested right now. Fernandez signed a long eight-and-a-half year deal when he joined Chelsea and still has five years left. But he’s close to Maresca, who managed him there and was missed when he unexpectedly left Chelsea in January.
City is also linked to 18-year-old Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup. But Lille don’t want to sell him yet and have put an £85 million price tag on the young midfielder.