Barcelona are preparing to make a formal approach to Manchester City for the services of midfielder Rodri, and they are confident they can outmaneuver their LaLiga rivals in securing the Spain captain, according to sources at Sky Sports News. The World Cup‑winning Spaniard, who captains his national side, is a highly coveted target for both of the country’s football powerhouses and is now entering the final year of his contract with City, making the situation even more delicate. Sky Sports News reports that Real Madrid have already opened negotiations with Manchester City as early as last week, indicating a willingness to meet a £50 million valuation for the player.
Barcelona, however, have received fresh encouragement that their chances of landing the midfielder are realistic if Rodri decides to move during this transfer window. Over the past 24 hours their interest has intensified, with club officials reportedly reviewing the financial and sporting implications of a potential bid.
Despite the mounting interest, City are reluctant to part with their key midfield anchor. The club is hoping to persuade Rodri to sign a new long‑term deal at the Etihad Stadium, allowing him to continue leading the side into a new era under the stewardship of newly appointed manager Enzo Maresca. Rodri recently underwent successful back surgery following the World Cup and is still in the recovery phase. Consequently, he is expected to miss both the Community Shield clash with Arsenal and the opening Premier League fixture of the season.
In a broader context, the recent re‑election of Florentino Pérez as Real Madrid president attracted criticism because the club fielded relatively few Spanish internationals at the summer World Cup. The Spanish giants have already secured the signing of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea as the tournament progressed, and sources say the board is unanimously supportive of a move for Rodri.
Madrid are still weighing their options, including whether to increase the amount they are prepared to offer. Former player and pundit Jamie Carragher, speaking for Sky Sports, weighed in on the financial side of the potential deal: "£40‑50 million? If you are Manchester City, why would you sell him?
You might as well keep him for the extra year. He is arguably the best in his position in the Premier League, perhaps the very best. His performances at the World Cup showed he was back at his peak.
In the second half of last season he and Bernardo Silva were fantastic and almost took City to the title. If I were the City manager, I would keep Rodri at that price.
It would have to be something truly extraordinary to make me let go of arguably the best midfield player in world football." Carragher continued, noting the difficulty City would face without him: "I think it would be really tough for them to win the Premier League without Rodri, even though they have a deep midfield. He is the best, even with the addition of Elliot Anderson, who will certainly learn from Rodri.
I see Anderson as a potential replacement for Bernardo Silva, who has moved to Real Madrid, leaving a big hole. When Liverpool won the title under Arne Slot, Rodri suffered an early‑season injury, which helped Liverpool and hurt City.
So, I would keep him and let him go on a free if necessary. City paid £60 million for him; getting £40 million back now doesn’t give them much to work with, so I’d rather retain him." Laura Hunter of Sky Sports echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Rodri's status despite his age and recent injury record: "Massive.
Rodri remains the most complete central midfielder to have played in the Premier League over the past five years. Pep Guardiola calls him 'the best midfielder in the world by far.' Under Guardiola, City’s in‑play strategy revolved around him, constantly impressing with his ball use and ability to receive under pressure.
He set the tempo and controlled games, a role he replicated for a triumphant Spain this summer. No current player can dictate a game like Rodri, and it is no coincidence City failed to retain the Premier League crown in the two seasons he was injury‑plagued." The question now is how City might replace him if he departs. The club have identified Elliot Anderson as a possible surrogate. The 23‑year‑old England international is not yet the dominant force that Rodri is, but he possesses the attributes of a box‑to‑box midfielder and is posting numbers that suggest he could develop into a comparable player.
Anderson could evolve into a pivotal figure, especially as Bernardo Silva has already moved on to Real Madrid, leaving a significant gap in City’s midfield engine room. In summary, Barcelona are sharpening their pursuit of Rodri, believing they have a realistic chance to outbid Real Madrid and secure the Spanish captain before the window closes. Manchester City, meanwhile, are keen to retain their midfield lynchpin, hoping to negotiate a new contract that will keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.
The outcome will hinge on Rodri's personal ambitions, the financial offers on the table, and the strategic plans of both Spanish giants as they look to reinforce their squads for the upcoming season.