Barcelona’s bid for Rodri rejected
Barcelona’s bid for Rodri rejected
Barcelona has made an offer to Manchester City for midfielder Rodri, which City has rejected. The initial bid from the Spanish club was considered too low by Manchester City. Reports indicate that City would want a higher fee to consider a potential sale. Despite the rejected offer, Barcelona’s interest in signing Rodri remains, and it is yet to be seen if they will submit a higher offer.
Sources in Spain suggest that Rodri would prefer a move to Barcelona over Real Madrid. Manchester City, however, does not wish to sell the Spain midfielder and instead aims to secure a new contract with him. If Rodri were to request a departure, City would not prevent his exit.
Rodri’s contract situation and injury history
Rodri’s current contract with Manchester City is set to expire in 2027, and he has reportedly shown little inclination to extend his terms. This situation has led to speculation regarding his future at the club. The midfielder joined City from Atletico in 2019 and has since made 298 appearances, contributing 28 goals and 32 assists. During his time with City, he has won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the Champions League.
Rodri was a key player in Spain’s 2026 World Cup victory and was awarded the Golden Ball. Following the World Cup, he underwent minor back surgery and is anticipated to return before the end of August. He experienced an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury at the beginning of the 2024-25 season and also dealt with hamstring and groin issues last season, featuring 33 times across all competitions.
During an international break in April, Rodri expressed a desire to return to Spain and play in La Liga again before concluding his career, also noting the appeal of representing Madrid.
Impact on Manchester City and potential replacements
The potential departure of Rodri would mark a significant change for Manchester City, which has already seen manager Pep Guardiola leave after a decade, along with long-serving players Bernardo Silva and John Stones. City has already strengthened its midfield with the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. They are also reportedly pursuing Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, who impressed at the World Cup.
As City evaluates its options for a replacement, reports from Italy suggest that Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez would be manager Enzo Maresca’s preferred signing. However, earlier reports indicated that Fernandez was not a target, as City aimed to retain Rodri. The evolving situation suggests that circumstances regarding Fernandez could change, and City might look to sign two players if Rodri moves to Barcelona.
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 torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Barcelona has signed wingers Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund this summer, and a new striker remains a target following Robert Lewandowski’s departure, with Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez being pursued.
According to a Spanish radio network, Real Madrid had made an offer to Rodri after Spain’s World Cup victory, with discussions taking place over two weeks. However, Rodri made a personal decision to accept another offer, and Real Madrid was informed of this decision on Friday, leading them to end their pursuit.
Source: nytimes.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
