Manchester City have dismissed an opening proposal from FC Barcelona for midfielder Rodri, deeming the offer far below the club's valuation. Barcelona's first bid, which City rejected, was reportedly in the region of £40 million, while the English side is aiming for a fee of at least £60 million for the 30‑year‑old, who is now entering the final year of his contract. As a result, negotiations have stalled for the time being. Barcelona, however, remain determined to secure the Spanish international.
Sources close to the Catalan club say they intend to submit a revised offer in the coming days, hoping to meet City’s price expectations. According to insiders in Spain, Rodri would prefer a move to Barcelona over a switch to Real Madrid, indicating that the Catalan giants could have an edge if they can present a compelling package.
City, on the other hand, are reluctant to part with the World Cup‑winning captain. The club’s preferred scenario is to negotiate a fresh contract that ties Rodri to the Etihad for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, the Manchester outfit has made it clear that if the midfielder decides to leave, they will not obstruct his departure.
While City weigh their options for a potential replacement, reports from Sky in Italy suggest that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández is the target of manager Enzo Maresca’s "dream" signing. Earlier this summer, Sky Sports News noted that Fernández was not on City’s radar, as retaining Rodri was the priority. The fluid nature of the transfer market means the situation could shift dramatically; if Rodri does move to Barcelona, City might consider bringing in two new midfielders to fill the void.
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 a contract that runs until 2032, his future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain, with the club placing a £120 million valuation on him.
The Argentine midfielder was omitted from the squad for two matches in April after expressing a desire to live in Madrid; he and his agent later issued an apology and are now seeking improved terms at Chelsea. Real Madrid recently denied any interest in signing Fernández, although he enjoyed a strong working relationship with Maresca during the Italian’s stint at Chelsea.
Former player and pundit Jamie Carragher weighed in on the situation, questioning the logic of a £40‑50 million sale. He argued that City would be better off keeping Rodri for the remaining year of his contract, especially after his impressive World Cup performances, which demonstrated that he is arguably the best midfielder in the Premier League. Carragher highlighted Rodri’s partnership with Bernardo Silva in the latter half of the season, which almost propelled City to the title, and suggested that losing him would create a significant gap, even with the arrival of youngster Elliot Anderson. Carragher also recalled the 2023‑24 season when Liverpool clinched the league under Arne Slot after Rodri suffered an early‑season injury, a setback that benefited Liverpool and hurt City’s title chances.
He concluded that City would be wiser to retain Rodri and let his contract run down rather than accept a modest fee that would do little to strengthen the squad. 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, despite his age and recent injury history. She quoted Pep Guardiola, who has repeatedly called Rodri "the best midfielder in the world by far." Under Guardiola’s system, Rodri was the fulcrum of City’s in‑play strategy, dictating tempo, receiving the ball under pressure, and controlling games for both club and country. His absence due to injury coincided with City’s failure to retain the Premier League crown in the two seasons he missed significant time.
The question now is how City will replace a player of Rodri’s calibre. One possible answer lies in Elliot Anderson, a 23‑year‑old England international who has shown promise as a box‑to‑box midfielder. While Anderson is not yet the commanding presence that Rodri provides, his development trajectory suggests he could evolve into a comparable figure.
Anderson’s numbers this season indicate he is beginning to shoulder more responsibility, and his style of play could complement the existing midfield core. In summary, the transfer saga underscores the high stakes involved when a club of Manchester City’s stature attempts to balance financial considerations with sporting ambition. Barcelona’s initial lowball offer has been rebuffed, but the Catalans are not backing down, and a revised bid may soon appear on the table.
Meanwhile, City must decide whether to gamble on a new contract for Rodri, let him leave for a fee that may not meet their valuation, or explore alternative signings such as Enzo Fernández or a promotion of Elliot Anderson to fill the looming midfield void. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of both clubs and the future of one of the Premier League’s most influential midfielders.