Manchester City have once again turned down Barcelona's latest attempt to secure the services of Spanish midfielder Rodri, despite the Catalan club boosting its proposal to somewhere between £50 million and £60 million. The latest offer, reported by Sky Sports News, still falls short of the price City are prepared to accept for the 30-year-old, who is now in the final year of his contract. The saga began last week when Barcelona initially tabled a bid in the region of £40 million, a figure that was promptly rejected by the Premier League champions.
Undeterred, the Spanish side quickly regrouped and prepared a more aggressive approach, hoping to persuade the English club that they were serious about acquiring the World Cup-winning midfielder. However, City’s hierarchy remains firm, indicating that they are looking for a fee that exceeds £60 million for the player. Rodri, who has become an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s midfield machinery, is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe.
His ability to break up opposition attacks, distribute the ball with precision, and provide a shield for the back line has made him a prized asset. The midfielder’s contract situation adds another layer of complexity: with only one year remaining, City face a dilemma between attempting to extend his stay or cashing in before he departs on a free transfer. According to Sky Sports, the club’s preferred route is to negotiate a new deal that reflects Rodri’s importance to the squad.
Yet, if the player decides to seek a new challenge, City have signaled that they would not stand in his way. While the Rodri negotiations continue, another significant transfer development has unfolded at the Etihad. Manchester City have reached an agreement to sell Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah for a fee reported to be around £51 million.
Reijnders, who arrived at City from AC Milan during the previous summer, has expressed a desire to move on, and the Saudi Pro League opportunity appears to be an attractive destination for him. The departure of Reijnders, combined with the potential exit of Rodri, would see City lose two central midfielders who have contributed to the club’s recent domestic and European successes.
However, the English side are already eyeing replacements. Interest has been reported in Argentine talent Enzo Fernández and young French prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Chelsea have reportedly set a deadline of Friday 5 pm for City to respond to a £120 million bid for Fernández, while negotiations with Lille over Bouaddi remain ongoing. James Savundra of Sky Sports News highlighted the financial implications of these moves, noting that the sale of Reijnders, alongside other departures such as James Trafford and Nathan Ake, could bring in more than £100 million for City this 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!" Savundra explained, underscoring how the influx of funds could strengthen City’s bargaining position in the market. In summary, Manchester City are currently navigating a complex transfer landscape.
They have rebuffed Barcelona’s improved bid for Rodri, insisting on a valuation north of £60 million, while simultaneously finalising the sale of Reijnders to Al Qadsiah for roughly £51 million. The club’s strategic aim appears to be retaining key talent where possible, but also capitalising on lucrative offers to fund future acquisitions. With potential targets like Fernández and Bouaddi on the radar, City are poised to reshape their midfield core, balancing the departure of established players with the arrival of fresh, high‑potential signings.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the English giants can secure the financial resources needed to remain competitive on all fronts, while also respecting the ambitions of their star midfielders.