Rodri is poised to travel to Barcelona for his medical examination on Tuesday, a crucial step before finalising his £65.4 million departure from Manchester City. The Spanish midfielder, a World Cup champion and former Ballon d'Or contender, has been a cornerstone of City’s recent dominance, helping the club secure four Premier League crowns and a Champions League trophy.
Sources indicate that the 30‑year‑old will ink a four‑year deal with the Catalan giants once the medical is completed. Rodri entered the summer with just one year remaining on his Manchester City contract. Although the English club made a concerted effort to persuade him to extend his stay, Barcelona’s third and final offer proved irresistible. Initially, Barcelona tabled a bid in the region of £40 million, which City rejected.
A subsequent £55 million proposal was also turned down, prompting the Catalans to improve their offer to the agreed £65.4 million fee that satisfied both parties. City manager Enzo Maresca, when questioned after a 3‑0 Community Shield loss to Arsenal, remarked that "every team needs a player like Rodri". He highlighted the midfielder’s absence from the Shield match, noting that Rodri had only just returned to training on Friday after undergoing minor back surgery following the World Cup. Maresca also urged City to act swiftly in the transfer market, confirming interest in Lille’s prodigious talent Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández.
The latter deal fell through after City missed Chelsea’s 5 p.m. Friday deadline for a £120 million bid.
Maresca elaborated on the Bouaddi situation, stating: "He’s still a Lille player, but any new signing who arrives early will be better for us, especially with the Premier League kicking off in a week. The sooner they integrate and understand our style, the quicker we can hit the ground running." This sentiment underscores City’s urgency to reinforce a central midfield that has already felt the impact of Rodri’s departure. Midfield remains a focal point for Manchester City this summer.
The club shattered the British transfer record earlier by acquiring Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, signalling their willingness to invest heavily in the engine room. At the same time, City have negotiated a £51 million exit for Tijjani Reijnders, who will join Saudi Arabia’s Al‑Qadsiah after expressing a desire to leave the Premier League. Chelsea, meanwhile, expect Fernández to remain at Stamford Bridge for the entirety of the 2026/27 campaign after City missed the deadline set by the Blues. Nonetheless, the Merseyside club’s decision does not preclude City from renewing their pursuit later in the window, especially now that the Rodri saga appears resolved.
Sky Sports’ Alan Irwin explained that Chelsea’s self‑imposed deadline was a strategic move, and City were unlikely to comply with a timetable dictated by a rival. Maresca is a noted admirer of Fernández, believing the Argentine could add a new dimension to City’s midfield. However, any successful bid will likely hinge on the completion of Rodri’s move to Barcelona, as the Spanish club’s departure creates a substantial vacancy that City must fill.
Sky Sports reporter Ben Ransom summed up Rodri’s influence: "Rodri leaves a massive void. We saw a glimpse of that in the Community Shield, where Manchester City looked noticeably weaker in the centre of the park.
His presence would have made a huge difference. He was instrumental in City’s treble‑winning 2022/23 season, even scoring the decisive goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul." Ransom continued, noting the series of setbacks that have plagued Rodri since the Euro final injury: "From 2024 onward, the injury he sustained in the European final has lingered, followed by an ACL tear early in the 2024/25 season. Those setbacks highlighted just how vital he was to City’s system. When he isn’t on the pitch, the conversation turns to how different the team feels.
His ability to dictate tempo and control the game is extraordinary." The upcoming medical in Barcelona will determine whether the transfer proceeds without a hitch. If all goes well, Rodri will join a Barcelona side eager to restore its former glory, while Manchester City will need to accelerate their recruitment plans to plug the gap left by one of the modern game’s most effective defensive midfielders.
The summer window promises further drama as clubs across Europe scramble for talent, and the ripple effects of Rodri’s move will be felt throughout the Premier League and beyond. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments by downloading the Sky Sports app, which offers live transfer centre coverage and exclusive video content. Additionally, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition, giving participants a chance to win £1 million for free.