Rodri is poised to travel to Barcelona for his medical examination as the final step in a £65.4 million transfer that will see him leave Manchester City for the Catalan giants. The Spanish midfielder, a World Cup champion and former Ballon d'Or nominee, has been a cornerstone of City’s recent dominance, contributing to four Premier League crowns and a Champions League victory. He is expected to sign a four‑year contract with Barcelona, cementing his move to La Liga.
At 30 years old, Rodri entered the summer with only a single year remaining on his City contract. Although the club made a concerted effort to retain him by offering an extension, Barcelona’s third and final proposal proved irresistible.
The player has now committed to a four‑year deal with the Spanish side, a move that will reshape the midfield dynamics of both clubs. The transfer saga began when Barcelona initially tabled an offer in the region of £40 million, which City rejected. A subsequent bid of £55 million was also turned down, prompting the Catalans to improve their offer. Ultimately, the parties reached an agreement on the £65.4 million figure, and the medical in Barcelona is the last procedural hurdle before the deal is officially completed.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca commented on the situation after City’s 3‑0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield. When asked about Rodri’s absence, Maresca remarked, "All teams need a player like Rodri," highlighting the midfielder’s importance to his side.
Rodri missed the Shield match because he had only just returned to training on Friday after undergoing a minor back operation following the World Cup. Maresca also used the opportunity to stress the urgency of securing new signings, noting City’s interest in Lille’s prodigious talent Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández. However, City missed Chelsea’s 5 p.m. deadline on Friday to submit a £120 million bid for Fernández.
Regarding Bouaddi, Maresca explained, "He’s still a Lille player, but any new signing who can join us quickly will be beneficial. The Premier League starts in a week, and the sooner a player integrates into our system, the better they can adapt to our style of play." Central midfield is a focal point for City this summer.
The club recently shattered the British transfer record by acquiring Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, underscoring their willingness to invest heavily in the area. In parallel, City have agreed to sell Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi club Al Qadsiah for around £51 million.
Reijnders, who arrived from AC Milan last summer, expressed a desire to move on, and the Saudi Pro League deal appears imminent. Chelsea, meanwhile, have indicated that Fernández will remain at Stamford Bridge for the entirety of the 2026/27 season after City missed the deadline set by the Blues.
Nonetheless, the English club has not ruled out a future bid, especially now that Rodri’s departure from City has been confirmed. Sky Sports News analyst Alan Irwin noted that the deadline was self‑imposed by Chelsea and that City were unlikely to accommodate a club dictating its own timetable.
Irwin added, "Maresca is a great admirer of Fernández and knows exactly what he could bring, but any deal now hinges on whether Rodri leaves for Barcelona." Sky Sports reporter Ben Ransom summed up Rodri’s impact on City: "Rodri leaves a massive void. We saw that in the Community Shield, where Manchester City looked flat in the centre of the park. His presence would have made a huge difference.
He was pivotal to City’s treble‑winning 2022/23 season, even scoring the decisive goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. Since the Euro final injury and the ACL tear early in the 2024/25 campaign, we’ve realized just how critical he is.
When he’s not on the pitch, City simply isn’t the same side. His ability to dictate tempo and control the game is extraordinary." Rodri’s move marks a significant shift for both clubs. Barcelona, eager to reinforce a midfield that has struggled with consistency, will gain a player with proven leadership, tactical intelligence, and a winning mentality. For City, the departure opens a sizeable gap that will need to be filled quickly if they are to maintain their domestic and European ambitions.
The club’s pursuit of Bouaddi, Anderson, and possibly Fernández suggests a strategy of diversifying midfield options, blending youth with experience. Fans of both sides will be watching closely as the medical proceeds.
Should Rodri pass his examinations, the transfer will be completed, and the Spanish midfielder will begin a new chapter in his illustrious career, wearing the iconic blaugrana jersey and adding his name to the long list of world‑class players who have represented Barcelona. The upcoming season promises to be a fascinating narrative of adaptation, ambition, and the ever‑evolving landscape of elite football transfers.