Manchester City have once again turned down a fresh proposal from Barcelona for their midfield lynchpin Rodri, this time rejecting a bid that reportedly sits in the region of £55 million. The Catalan giants had initially approached City last week with an offer in the neighbourhood of £40 million, which was promptly dismissed. According to Sky Sports News, Barcelona were prepared to improve that figure, aiming somewhere between £50 million and £60 million, yet even the heightened amount fell short of the price tag City is demanding.
The English club has made it clear that they are looking for a fee that exceeds £60 million for the 30‑year‑old Spanish international, who is now entering the final year of his contract. Negotiations are ongoing, but the gap between the two sides remains significant. Sky Sports has also reported that City’s primary objective is to secure a new contract for Rodri, who captained Spain to World Cup glory, rather than cashing in on his services. Should the midfielder decide he wants to move on, however, the club has indicated it would not stand in his way.
Barcelona, for their part, remain resolute in their pursuit of the midfielder. The club’s hierarchy is reportedly assessing their options and may come back with another, possibly higher, offer in the coming days. Their determination reflects a broader strategy to bolster the squad with world‑class talent, and Rodri fits that profile perfectly as a deep‑lying playmaker with a proven track record at both club and international level.
In a parallel development, Manchester City have confirmed the sale of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah. The transfer fee is believed to be around £51 million. Reijnders, who arrived at the Etihad from AC Milan in the summer of 2023, has expressed a desire to seek a new challenge, and the move to the Saudi Pro League appears to satisfy that ambition. This departure, combined with the earlier exit of striker James Trafford and a modest deal that sent defender Nathan Ake to Turkey, means City have generated more than £100 million in inbound transfer revenue this window.
The financial influx from Reijnders’ sale, alongside other smaller deals, strengthens City’s bargaining position as they look to reinforce their midfield ranks. The club has already signalled interest in two promising players: Enzo Fernández, the Argentine playmaker currently at Chelsea, and Ayyoub Bouaddi, a young French talent plying his trade at Lille. Chelsea have reportedly given City a deadline of Friday 5 p.m.
to submit a £120 million bid for Fernández, while negotiations for Bouaddi are said to be progressing. James Savundra of Sky Sports News summed up the situation succinctly: "The Tijjani Reijnders news means Man City are making another major sale, they are bringing in over £100 million in sales in this transfer window when you account for James Trafford departing and some smaller sales, such as Nathan Ake going to Turkey. It means they are in a better position in terms of negotiating and what money they've got left to spend in this transfer window.
If they do get big money for Rodri, you match up £70 million with £50 million and that gets you to £120 million - which is what Chelsea want for Enzo Fernández!" This commentary highlights how the club’s strategic sales are designed to fund future acquisitions while maintaining a competitive squad. The broader context of these moves reflects the shifting dynamics of the modern transfer market. Premier League clubs like Manchester City are increasingly adept at balancing squad depth with financial prudence, leveraging sales of valuable assets to finance targeted purchases. At the same time, clubs from outside the traditional European powerhouses, such as Al Qadsiah, are willing to invest significant sums to attract talent, thereby reshaping the competitive landscape of leagues like the Saudi Pro League.
For Rodri, the situation remains fluid. While City appear eager to retain their captain and extend his contract, the player’s own ambitions will ultimately dictate the outcome. Should he decide to stay, he will likely sign a new deal that secures his services for several more seasons, reinforcing City’s midfield core. Conversely, if he opts for a new challenge, Barcelona’s persistent interest suggests they will continue to chase him, potentially escalating their offer further.
In summary, Manchester City have dismissed Barcelona’s latest £55 million bid for Rodri, maintaining a valuation above £60 million and signalling a preference to keep the Spanish midfielder unless he requests a move. Simultaneously, the club has completed the sale of Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah for roughly £51 million, adding to a series of lucrative departures that bolster City’s financial flexibility.
The upcoming weeks will likely see continued negotiations over Rodri’s future and further activity in the midfield market as City target players like Enzo Fernández and Ayyoub Bouaddi to strengthen their squad for the challenges ahead.