Manchester City have turned away an opening proposal from FC Barcelona for the services of their midfield stalwart Rodri, deeming the offer far below the club's valuation. Barcelona initially tabled a sum in the region of £40 million, a figure that City found insufficient for the 30‑year‑old Spanish international, who is now entering the final year of his contract.
The Citizens are reportedly looking for a fee of at least £60 million, reflecting both the player's quality and the scarcity of top‑class central midfielders in the modern game. With the two sides unable to bridge this financial gap, negotiations have stalled for the time being.
However, Barcelona have signalled that they are not prepared to abandon their pursuit of Rodri. Sources close to the Catalan club suggest that a revised, more ambitious offer could be submitted in the coming days, as the La Liga giants remain determined to secure the midfielder’s signature. In Spain, it is believed that Rodri would favour a move to Barcelona over a potential switch to Real Madrid, preferring the project and playing style offered by the Blaugrana.
Nevertheless, Manchester City are reluctant to part with the World Cup‑winning captain without first attempting to lock him down on a new deal. The club has made it clear that they would prefer to extend his contract rather than see him leave for a rival. Should Rodri submit a formal request to leave, however, the City hierarchy has indicated they would not stand in his way. While City weigh their options for a possible replacement, reports from Sky in Italy have highlighted Chelsea’s midfielder Enzo Fernández as a dream target for Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca.
Earlier this summer, Sky Sports News noted that Fernández was not on City’s shortlist at that stage, as the priority was to retain Rodri. The fluid nature of the transfer market means the situation could change quickly; if Rodri does eventually join Barcelona, City might look to bring in two players to fill the void, with Fernández potentially playing a key role. Fernández, who will return to Chelsea training next week after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina, remains under contract until 2032.
Chelsea have placed a hefty £120 million price tag on the Argentine, reflecting his rising stock. The midfielder was omitted from the squad for two matches 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, even as he enjoys a strong rapport with Maresca from their time together at Chelsea.
Former England international Jamie Carragher weighed in on the Rodri saga for Sky Sports, questioning the wisdom of selling a player of his calibre for a figure that barely covers the original purchase price. Carragher argued that Rodri, who shone at the World Cup and was instrumental in City’s near‑title run alongside Bernardo Silva, is arguably the best midfielder in the Premier League.
He suggested that City would be better served by retaining him, even if it meant letting him go on a free transfer at the end of his contract, rather than accepting a modest £40‑50 million fee. Laura Hunter, also 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 cited Pep Guardiola’s praise, who has called him "the best midfielder in the world by far," and highlighted how City’s tactical approach under Guardiola has revolved around Rodri’s ability to dictate tempo, receive the ball under pressure, and control the flow of the game.
His influence was evident in Spain’s triumph at the recent World Cup, where he again set the rhythm for his national side. Hunter noted that City’s failure to retain the Premier League title in the two seasons when Rodri was sidelined by injury underscores his importance. The question now is how City will replace him. One potential answer lies in the emergence of Elliot Anderson, a 23‑year‑old English box‑to‑box midfielder who has shown promising statistics and could develop into a viable alternative.
While Anderson is not yet at Rodri’s level, his work rate and versatility make him a useful surrogate, especially as City look to fill the gap left by Bernardo Silva’s departure to Real Madrid. In summary, the transfer window remains highly dynamic. Barcelona are expected to revisit their offer for Rodri, hoping to meet City’s valuation, while Manchester City continue to explore both contract extensions for their current captain and potential signings such as Enzo Fernández to bolster their midfield. The outcome will have significant implications for the Premier League title race and the broader European football landscape.