Manchester City have firmly rejected Barcelona's opening proposal for Rodri, deeming the offer far below the player's market value. The Catalan club initially tabled a sum in the region of £40 million, a figure that City consider insufficient for a midfielder of Rodri's calibre, especially given that the 30‑year‑old is approaching the final year of his current contract. Manchester City are reportedly aiming for a fee of at least £60 million, reflecting both his importance to the squad and the scarcity of players with his particular skill set. As a result of the disagreement over price, negotiations have stalled for the time being.

Barcelona, however, have signalled that they are not prepared to abandon their pursuit. Insiders in Spain suggest that the club is already working on a revised offer that could be submitted in the coming days, hoping to bridge the valuation gap and secure the Spanish international. Rodri, a World Cup‑winning captain with Spain, appears to favour a move to Barcelona over a switch to Real Madrid, according to sources close to the player.

This preference adds another layer of intrigue to the saga, as City must now weigh the desire to retain a key figure against the risk of losing him on a free transfer when his contract expires. City have made it clear that they would rather extend Rodri's deal than see him leave for a rival. Yet, if the midfielder were to submit a formal request to depart, the club has indicated they would not stand in his way. This stance underscores the delicate balance between protecting the team's competitive edge and respecting a player's personal ambitions.

While the Rodri saga unfolds, Manchester City are also evaluating potential replacements. Sky Sports Italy has reported that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández is a "dream" signing for City manager Enzo Maresca.

Earlier this summer, Sky Sports News noted that Fernández was not on City's shortlist at that stage, as retaining Rodri was the primary priority. The fluid nature of the transfer market means that circumstances could shift rapidly, especially if Rodri ultimately moves to Barcelona.

In such a scenario, City might consider bringing in both Fernández and a younger prospect to fill the void. Enzo Fernández is expected to return to Chelsea training next week after playing a pivotal role in Argentina's run to the World Cup final. Despite having a contract that runs until 2032, his future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain. Chelsea have placed a valuation of roughly £120 million on the Argentine, reflecting his rising stature.

Fernández was briefly omitted from the squad in April after expressing a desire to live in Madrid, an episode for which he and his agent later apologised while also seeking improved terms at Chelsea. Real Madrid have publicly denied any interest in signing Fernández, though the Argentine enjoys a strong working relationship with Maresca from the Italian's previous tenure at Chelsea. This connection could prove influential if City decide to act. Former player and pundit Jamie Carragher weighed in on the situation, questioning the logic of City selling Rodri for £40‑50 million.

He argued that the midfielder is arguably the best in his position in the Premier League, especially after his standout performances at the World Cup. Carragher highlighted Rodri's partnership with Bernardo Silva in the latter half of the season, which almost propelled City to the league title, and suggested that losing him would create a significant gap. He also noted that City paid £60 million for Rodri, so recouping less than that would offer little financial flexibility.

Laura Hunter of Sky Sports echoed similar sentiments, 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 him "the best midfielder in the world by far." Under Guardiola, City’s tactical approach often revolved around Rodri’s ability to control tempo, receive the ball in tight spaces, and dictate play—attributes that were also evident in Spain’s successful World Cup campaign. 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 impact. The question now is how the club can replace such a unique talent.

One potential answer lies in the emergence of Elliot Anderson, a 23‑year‑old English international. While Anderson does not yet possess the same level of authority on the pitch as Rodri, he has shown promising box‑to‑box numbers and could develop into a suitable successor.

Anderson may also fill the void left by Bernardo Silva, who recently transferred to Real Madrid, providing City with a versatile midfield option. In summary, Manchester City have turned down Barcelona's initial £40 million bid for Rodri, seeking a fee closer to £60 million.

Negotiations are at a standstill, but Barcelona remain determined to improve their offer. Meanwhile, City are exploring alternative midfield targets, with Enzo Fernández emerging as a top priority should Rodri depart. The club also looks to nurture young talent like Elliot Anderson to ensure continuity in the midfield engine room. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Rodri stays in Manchester, moves to Barcelona, or perhaps leaves on a free transfer, each scenario carrying significant implications for the club's future ambitions.