Barcelona target Rodri as Real Madrid talks with Manchester City star stall
Barcelona explores move for Rodri
Barcelona are reportedly exploring a deal to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The Spain captain has entered the final year of his contract with Manchester City, and sources indicate his preference is to join Barcelona over other clubs this summer. This interest from Barcelona follows an injury to their midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is expected to be out for several months due to a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
Real Madrid has also been in discussions with Manchester City regarding Rodri. Reports suggest Real Madrid indicated a willingness to pay £50m for the player. However, despite weeks of talks with Rodri and his representatives, Real Madrid has not yet reached an agreement, which Barcelona hopes to leverage.
Manchester City, meanwhile, does not wish to sell Rodri. The club is hoping he will agree to a new long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium and lead the team under new manager Enzo Maresca. Manchester City is thought to be willing to allow Rodri to leave for approximately £60m if he does not sign a new deal.
Rodri’s appeal and club considerations
Rodri played a significant role in Spain‘s 2026 World Cup victory, captaining his side in all eight games and being awarded the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player. He was also named player of the tournament when Spain won the European Championship in 2024. His potential move to Barcelona is understood to appeal to him due to the club’s footballing style and the prospect of reuniting with eight members of Spain‘s World Cup-winning squad.
Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019. During his seven years at the club, he has made 298 appearances, scoring 28 goals and providing 32 assists. His achievements with Manchester City include four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the Champions League in 2023, where he scored the winning goal in the final.
Following his re-election as Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez faced criticism regarding the club’s representation of Spanish players at the recent World Cup. Real Madrid signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea during the tournament and is reportedly interested in acquiring Rodri next. Real Madrid is considering whether to increase their offer for the midfielder.
Barcelona‘s financial position is a key factor in any potential deal. The club would need to sell players to create space and improve their financial standing to proceed with a significant transfer. This summer, Barcelona has already brought in wingers Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund. The club also continues to pursue Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid after Robert Lewandowski‘s departure.
Rodri recently underwent minor back surgery after the World Cup and is currently recovering. He is expected to miss the Community Shield game against Arsenal and the opening Premier League fixture of the season.
Market dynamics and player preferences
The midfielder’s contract situation, with only 12 months remaining, means Manchester City faces a decision on whether to sell him now or risk losing him on a free transfer next year. Despite his importance to the team, some suggest that selling him for a fee in the range of £40m-£50m might not be beneficial for Manchester City, given his quality and the difficulty of finding a replacement.
Manchester City has signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m and is in negotiations with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old midfielder. However, some analysts believe that replacing Rodri‘s unique ability to control games would be challenging for Manchester City.
Rodri has previously expressed a desire to return to Spain during his career and play in La Liga again, while also acknowledging the appeal of representing Real Madrid. The current situation places him at the centre of a transfer battle between two of Spain‘s biggest clubs as he enters the final year of his contract.
Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal for Spain in the World Cup final against Argentina, has also entered the final year of his contract at Barcelona and is awaiting talks regarding an extension.
Source: skysports.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.”
