Rodri is scheduled to travel to Barcelona on Tuesday for his medical examination, a crucial step before finalising his £65.4 million departure from Manchester City. The 30‑year‑old Spanish midfielder, a World Cup champion and former Ballon d'Or nominee, has been a cornerstone of City’s recent success, contributing to four Premier League crowns and a Champions League victory. Sources indicate that he will sign a four‑year contract with the Catalan giants once the medical is completed.
Having only one year remaining on his current deal, Rodri was approached by Manchester City with an invitation to extend his stay. However, the third offer from Barcelona proved too enticing for the player to decline.
Earlier in the negotiation process, Barcelona initially tabled a bid in the region of £40 million, which City rejected outright. The club then returned with a revised £55 million proposal, which was also turned down, prompting City to eventually accept the £65.4 million figure that has now been agreed.
City manager Enzo Maresca commented on the situation after the 3‑0 Community Shield loss to Arsenal, noting that “every top‑flight side could benefit from a player of Rodri’s calibre.” He added that Rodri missed the match because he had only just resumed training on Friday after undergoing minor back surgery following the World Cup. Maresca also urged his side to act swiftly in the transfer market, revealing interest in Lille’s promising youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea’s midfield dynamo Enzo Fernández. City’s attempt to submit a £120 million bid for Fernández missed Chelsea’s 5 p.m.
deadline on Friday, leaving the deal in limbo. When asked about Bouaddi, Maresca explained, “He is still under contract with Lille, but any new signing who can integrate quickly will be valuable, especially with the Premier League kicking off in a week. The sooner a player adapts to our style, the better for the squad.” Midfield remains a focal point for Manchester 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 centre of the park.
At the same time, City have reached an agreement to off‑load Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Arabian side Al‑Qadsiah for roughly £51 million. Reijnders, who arrived from AC Milan last season, expressed a desire for a fresh challenge and appears set for a move to the Saudi Pro League. Chelsea, meanwhile, have indicated that Fernández will remain at Stamford Bridge for the entirety of the 2026/27 campaign after City missed the club‑imposed deadline.
Nevertheless, the Blues’ stance does not preclude City from revisiting the target later, especially now that Rodri’s exit to Barcelona seems imminent. Sky Sports’ Alan Irwin explained that the deadline was self‑imposed by Chelsea, and City were unlikely to accommodate a timetable set by another club. Maresca is a vocal admirer of Fernández, acknowledging the Argentine’s potential impact on the team.
He added that any future bid would largely hinge on whether Rodri’s transfer proceeds as planned. Should Barcelona complete the deal, the financial flexibility could enable City to pursue Fernández more aggressively. Sky Sports correspondent Ben Ransom summed up the significance of Rodri’s departure: “Rodri’s absence creates a massive void.
We witnessed that in the Community Shield, where Manchester City looked vulnerable in midfield. He was pivotal to City’s treble‑winning campaign in 2022/23, even scoring the decisive goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. “Since the Euro final injury and the subsequent ACL tear early in the 2024/25 season, the importance of his role has become crystal clear. When he isn’t on the pitch, the conversation is that City simply aren’t the same side.
His ability to dictate tempo and control the game is extraordinary.” The impending medical will determine whether Rodri’s move to Barcelona is sealed, potentially reshaping the midfield landscapes of two of Europe’s biggest clubs. Barcelona will gain a proven winner with a blend of defensive solidity and ball‑progressing ability, while City must decide how to fill the gap left by his departure, whether through further investment or promoting from within. The summer transfer window promises to be a decisive period for both clubs as they chart their strategies for the upcoming season.
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