Manchester City have firmly rejected an opening proposal from Barcelona for the services of Rodri, deeming the offer far below the club's valuation. The Catalan side initially tabled a figure in the region of £40 million, a sum that City consider insufficient for a player of Rodri's calibre, especially given his age and contractual situation. The English club is now demanding a fee of at least £60 million for the 30‑year‑old midfielder, who is entering the final year of his current contract.
As a result, negotiations have stalled for the moment, with both parties stepping back to reassess their positions. Barcelona, however, are not prepared to abandon their pursuit of the Spanish World Cup‑winning captain. Sources close to the club say they are already formulating a revised offer that they intend to submit in the coming days, hoping to bridge the gap between the two sides.
Within Spain, it is widely reported that Rodri would favour a move to Barcelona over a potential transfer to Real Madrid, a preference that could influence the dynamics of any future deal. City, on the other hand, have made it clear that they do not wish to part with their midfield linchpin unless the player himself requests a move.
The club’s priority is to secure a new contract that reflects Rodri's importance to the team. Should Rodri decide to leave, Manchester City have indicated they would not stand in his way, but they would prefer to retain him for as long as possible to maintain the stability of their midfield. While the Rodri saga unfolds, Manchester City are also evaluating potential replacements. Italian media, particularly Sky in Italy, have highlighted Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández as a "dream" target for manager Enzo Maresca.
Earlier this summer, Sky Sports News reported that Fernández was not on City's shortlist, as the club’s main focus was to keep Rodri. However, the fluid nature of transfer markets means that circumstances could change, especially if Rodri eventually departs for Barcelona. In that scenario, City might look to bring in not just one, but possibly two midfield reinforcements to fill the void.
Enzo Fernández is set 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 the Blues remains uncertain.
Chelsea have placed a valuation of roughly £120 million on the Argentine playmaker. Earlier this year, Fernández found himself omitted from two matchday squads after expressing a desire to live in Madrid, a comment for which he and his agent later apologised.
The midfielder is also seeking improved contractual terms at Chelsea, adding another layer of complexity to his potential departure. Real Madrid have publicly denied any interest in signing Fernández, even though the Argentine has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Maresca during the Italian’s tenure at Chelsea. This denial underscores the competitive nature of the transfer market, where clubs must balance player ambitions, financial considerations, and strategic needs.
Former England defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher weighed in on the situation, questioning the wisdom of City selling Rodri for a figure between £40‑50 million. Carragher argued that, given the fee, City would be better off retaining the midfielder for the remaining year of his contract. He praised Rodri as possibly the best central midfielder in the Premier League, noting his standout performances at the World Cup and his crucial partnership with Bernardo Silva during the second half of the season, which nearly propelled City to the title. Carragher also highlighted the difficulty City would face in the league without Rodri, despite having a deep midfield roster.
He pointed to the emergence of Elliot Anderson, a young English talent who could learn from Rodri and potentially fill the creative gap left by Bernardo Silva’s departure to Real Madrid. Carragher recalled a season when Liverpool clinched the title under Arne Slot, noting that an early‑season injury to Rodri had inadvertently aided Liverpool’s campaign, further emphasizing Rodri’s importance to City’s success.
Laura Hunter, another Sky Sports analyst, echoed the sentiment, describing Rodri as the most complete central midfielder to have graced the Premier League in the last five years. She cited Pep Guardiola’s high praise, with the manager labeling him "the best midfielder in the world by far." Under Guardiola’s system, Rodri’s role was pivotal: he dictated tempo, excelled in tight spaces, and consistently controlled the flow of matches for both club and country. Hunter argued that City’s failure to retain the Premier League crown in the two seasons when Rodri was sidelined by injury was no coincidence, underscoring his impact. With Rodri’s future uncertain, the question of his replacement looms large.
While Elliot Anderson shows promise as a box‑to‑box midfielder, he is not yet the dominant force that Rodri is. Nevertheless, the 23‑year‑old’s developing statistics suggest he could evolve into a player capable of shouldering greater responsibility.
Anderson may serve as a surrogate in the short term, learning from Rodri’s example and potentially stepping into a larger role should the Spanish midfielder depart. In summary, Manchester City have turned down Barcelona’s initial £40 million bid for Rodri, demanding a higher fee and signalling a willingness to keep the player if he wishes to stay.
Barcelona are preparing a new offer, while City explore alternatives such as Enzo Fernández and nurture young talents like Elliot Anderson. The coming weeks will determine whether Rodri remains at Etihad Stadium or embarks on a new chapter in Barcelona, a decision that could reshape the midfield dynamics of both clubs and influence the broader European transfer landscape.