Manchester City have once again spurned Barcelona's latest attempt to secure the services of Spanish midfielder Rodri, rejecting a fresh £55 million proposal. The Catalan club had initially approached City with a bid in the vicinity of £40 million, which was promptly turned down. According to Sky Sports News, Barcelona came back on Wednesday with a revised figure that sits somewhere between £50 million and £60 million, but even this heightened amount fell short of the price City deem appropriate for the 30‑year‑old England‑based player. Rodri, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Premier League giants, remains a coveted target for Barcelona.
The Spanish side have made it clear that they are still intent on adding the World Cup‑winning captain to their midfield, and they are now weighing their options for a next move after the latest offer was dismissed. City, for their part, have indicated that they are looking for a fee north of £60 million, reflecting both Rodri's importance to the squad and the fact that his contract is set to expire soon. The ongoing negotiations have been characterised by a degree of mutual respect. Sky Sports reported earlier this summer that Manchester City have no desire to part with Rodri unless the player himself wishes to leave.
The club's preferred scenario is to negotiate a new contract that would keep the Spanish international at the Etihad for the foreseeable future. However, the club has also signalled that they would not stand in the way should Rodri decide to move on, acknowledging his stature and the potential for a lucrative deal.
In parallel with the Rodri saga, Manchester City have confirmed a separate transfer involving Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. The 25‑year‑old, who arrived from AC Milan last summer, has agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah for a fee reported to be around £51 million. Reijnders expressed a desire to experience a new challenge, and the move appears to be a mutually beneficial arrangement for player and club.
The departure of Reijnders, combined with the potential exit of Rodri, could leave City with a notable gap in their central midfield. Nevertheless, the club have already signalled interest in two promising replacements: Enzo Fernández, the Argentine playmaker currently at Chelsea, and Ayyoub Bouaddi, the young French talent linked with Lille. Chelsea have reportedly given City a deadline of Friday 5 pm to submit a £120 million bid for Fernández, while discussions continue over a possible deal for Bouaddi. James Savundra of Sky Sports News weighed in on the financial implications of the Reijnders sale.
He noted that the Saudi transfer, together with the earlier departure of striker James Trafford and smaller moves such as Nathan Ake's switch to Turkey, means City are generating over £100 million in outgoing fees this window. This influx of cash, Savundra argued, strengthens City's negotiating position and expands the budget they have available for new signings. He added that if City were to secure a substantial fee for Rodri—potentially £70 million—the combined inflow of £70 million plus the £50 million from Reijnders would total around £120 million, the exact amount Chelsea are seeking for Fernández. In summary, Manchester City have firmly rejected Barcelona's latest £55 million offer for Rodri, maintaining a valuation that exceeds £60 million.
While the Spanish giants remain eager to acquire the midfielder, City appear prepared to either extend his contract or let him leave on their terms. At the same time, the club have confirmed the sale of Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah for roughly £51 million, a move that contributes to a sizable cash inflow and could facilitate future acquisitions. The midfield department may see two departures, but City are already eyeing replacements in the form of Enzo Fernández and Ayyoub Bouaddi, indicating that the club is actively planning for the next chapter despite the ongoing transfer negotiations.