Barcelona are preparing to make a formal approach to Manchester City for the services of their Spanish captain, Rodri, and they are confident they can out‑maneuver their domestic rivals in the battle for his signature, according to sources at Sky Sports News. The World Cup‑winning midfielder, who captains both club and country, is entering the final year of his contract with the English champions, making him a prime target for any club willing to meet his valuation. Sky Sports reports that Real Madrid have already opened negotiations with City, indicating a willingness to spend around £50 million to secure the player. Barcelona, however, have received fresh encouragement that their chances have improved, especially after a surge of interest in the past 24 hours.
The Catalan side believe that if Rodri decides to move during this transfer window, they stand a realistic chance of closing the deal before the capital club can finalize its own plans. Manchester City, for their part, are reluctant to let go of a player they consider integral to their future. The club is reportedly hoping to persuade Rodri to sign a long‑term extension at the Etihad, where he would continue to be a cornerstone of the team that is transitioning under the guidance of new head coach Enzo Maresca.
City’s hierarchy feels that retaining Rodri is essential for maintaining the style of play that has defined their recent success. Rodri is currently on the recovery trail after undergoing successful back surgery following the World Cup.
Medical updates suggest he will miss the upcoming Community Shield clash with Arsenal as well as the opening Premier League fixture of the new season. His absence underscores the importance of the midfield anchor to City’s tactical setup and adds urgency to the negotiations surrounding his future.
In parallel, Real Madrid’s president Florentino Pérez has faced criticism after his re‑election, with observers pointing out that the club fielded relatively few Spanish internationals at the recent World Cup. This scrutiny has heightened the pressure on the club to reinforce its squad, and the signing of a player of Rodri’s calibre would be a clear statement of intent. Madrid have already secured Marc Cucurella from Chelsea as the tournament began, and insiders say the board is now collectively leaning toward a bid for Rodri, while also weighing whether to increase the financial offer they are prepared to make.
Former defender and pundit Jamie Carragher, speaking for Sky Sports, summed up the dilemma facing City: “£40‑50 million? If you’re Manchester City, why would you sell him? You might as well keep him for the extra year. He’s arguably the best in his position in the Premier League, if not the world.
After the World Cup he looked like he was back at his peak.” Carragher went on to praise Rodri’s partnership with Bernardo Silva, noting how the duo almost carried City to the title in the previous season. He added, “If I were the City manager, I’d hold onto Rodri at that price. It would take something extraordinary to convince me to let go of arguably the best midfield player in world football.” Laura Hunter, also of Sky Sports, highlighted Rodri’s status as the most complete central midfielder in the Premier League over the past five years, echoing Pep Guardiola’s description of him as “the best midfielder in the world by far.” Under Guardiola’s system, Rodri was the fulcrum of City’s in‑play strategy, consistently dictating tempo, receiving the ball under pressure, and controlling the flow of matches for both club and country.
His influence was so pronounced that City’s failure to retain the Premier League crown in the two seasons he was sidelined by injury was directly linked to his absence. The question now facing both Barcelona and Real Madrid is how to replace a player of Rodri’s magnitude should he depart. Barcelona have a promising young talent in the form of England international Elliot Anderson, a 23‑year‑old box‑to‑box midfielder who is beginning to show signs of the dynamism and work‑rate required at the highest level.
While Anderson is not yet the dictatorial presence that Rodri commands, his development trajectory suggests he could evolve into a comparable figure. Similarly, City have identified Anderson as a potential surrogate, noting that the Englishman could learn a great deal from sharing the midfield with Rodri and eventually fill the void if the Spanish star leaves.
In summary, the race for Rodri is intensifying, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both signalling strong intent and preparing substantial offers. Manchester City, meanwhile, are attempting to lock the midfielder down on a new contract, hoping to keep the architect of their recent successes at the heart of their midfield for years to come.
The next few weeks will likely determine whether Rodri remains at the Etihad, moves north to Barcelona, or embarks on a new chapter in the Spanish capital with Real Madrid.