Manchester City have dismissed an opening proposal from FC Barcelona for their midfielder Rodri, deeming the amount offered far below what they consider his true market value. Barcelona initially tabled a figure in the vicinity of £40 million, a sum that City found insufficient for the 30‑year‑old who is now entering the final year of his contract. The English club is reportedly aiming for a price tag of at least £60 million, reflecting both Rodri’s importance to the squad and the premium placed on a player of his calibre.
With the two sides unable to bridge that financial gap, negotiations have stalled for the time being. However, Barcelona are far from abandoning their pursuit. Insiders in Spain suggest that the Catalan side will soon submit a revised offer, hoping to meet City’s valuation and secure the Spanish international before the transfer window closes. Rodri, who captained Spain to World Cup glory, is believed to favour a move to Barcelona over a potential switch to Real Madrid.
The midfielder’s personal preference adds another layer of intrigue to the saga, as the Catalan club remains determined to convince both player and his representatives that a move to the Camp Nou would be the ideal next step in his career. City, on the other hand, have made it clear they are not eager to part with their World Cup‑winning captain. The club’s primary objective is to negotiate a new contract that will keep Rodri at the Etihad for the foreseeable future.
Nonetheless, the Manchester outfit has also signalled that should the player request a transfer, they would not stand in his way, preferring to respect his wishes rather than force a stay. While City weigh their options for a possible replacement, reports from Sky in Italy indicate that Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández has emerged as a “dream” target for City manager Enzo Maresca. Earlier this summer, Sky Sports News noted that Fernández was not among City’s immediate priorities, as retaining Rodri was the dominant focus. The fluid nature of the transfer market means that circumstances could shift rapidly; if Rodri eventually joins Barcelona, City may look to bring in two new midfielders to fill the void.
Fernández is slated to return to Chelsea training next week after starring for Argentina in the World Cup final. Despite a contract that runs until 2032 and a hefty valuation of around £120 million, his future at Chelsea remains uncertain.
The Argentine midfielder was omitted from the squad for two matches in April after expressing a desire to live in Madrid, an admission for which he and his agent later apologised. Chelsea have also been approached with requests for improved terms, further complicating the situation. Real Madrid recently issued a statement denying any interest in signing Fernández, even as the player maintains a strong working relationship with Maresca from the Italian’s tenure at Chelsea.
The ongoing speculation surrounding Fernández highlights the broader strategic considerations City must address if they lose Rodri. Former Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher weighed in on the matter, questioning the logic of a £40‑50 million sale.
He argued that for a club of City’s stature, retaining a player of Rodri’s quality for another year makes far more sense than cashing in at a reduced price. Carragher praised Rodri’s performances, especially his displays at the World Cup, and noted that the midfielder was instrumental in Manchester City’s title challenge alongside Bernardo Silva.
He suggested that losing Rodri would significantly weaken City’s midfield, even with emerging talents like Elliot Anderson on the horizon. Laura Hunter of Sky Sports echoed the sentiment, describing Rodri as the most complete central midfielder to have played in the Premier League over the past five years. She quoted Pep Guardiola, who has called Rodri “the best midfielder in the world by far.” Under Guardiola’s system, Rodri has been the fulcrum of City’s in‑play strategy, dictating tempo, retaining possession under pressure, and orchestrating attacks.
His influence was also evident in Spain’s triumphant World Cup run, where he helped control games from the centre of the park. Hunter pointed out that City’s failure to retain the Premier League crown in the two seasons when Rodri was sidelined by injury underscores his importance.
The question now is how the club will replace him. While Elliot Anderson shows promise as a box‑to‑box midfielder and could develop into a Rodri‑like figure, he is still a work in progress.
Anderson’s numbers suggest he is on a comparable trajectory, but he lacks the experience and tactical nous that Rodri possesses. In summary, the transfer saga remains unresolved. Barcelona are expected to improve their offer, while Manchester City continue to assess whether to extend Rodri’s contract or eventually allow him to leave for a fee that reflects his true worth.
Meanwhile, the potential arrival of Enzo Fernández adds another variable to City’s midfield planning. The coming weeks will determine whether Rodri stays in Manchester, heads to Barcelona, or perhaps even makes a surprising move elsewhere, reshaping the landscape of elite European football.