Barcelona have officially announced the acquisition of midfielder Rodri from Manchester City, sealing a deal reported to be worth approximately £65.4 million. The Spanish international, a World Cup champion and former Ballon d'Or winner who was instrumental in City’s recent dominance – including four Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph – has committed to a four‑year contract with the LaLiga giants. Rodri, now 30, entered the summer with just one season remaining on his Manchester City agreement.
The English club made clear they wanted to retain him and offered an extension, but Barcelona’s third and final proposal proved irresistible. Earlier attempts by City to keep the player saw two offers – first £40 million and then £55 million – turned down, after which the Catalan side succeeded in meeting the Spaniard’s valuation. The departure of Rodri joins the imminent exit of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who is set to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Qadsiah for a fee around £51 million.
Both exits have left Pep Guardiola’s staff scrambling for suitable replacements. City remain interested in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, despite missing the official deadline to submit a formal bid on 14 August, and they are also in advanced talks with Lille about Moroccan prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Lille are said to be asking roughly £85 million for the young forward, a figure that was confirmed by Lille’s head coach Davide Ancelotti during a recent interview. Statistical analysis of City’s performances without Rodri underscores his importance. Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, the club has recorded 179 matches with Rodri in the starting eleven, losing just 19 of those games – a loss rate of about 10.6 per cent. In contrast, in the 87 matches where he started on the bench, City suffered 20 defeats, a loss percentage that more than doubled.
The win ratio dropped from 71.5 % with Rodri on the pitch to 62.1 % when he was absent, while goal‑scoring dipped and goals conceded rose, highlighting the midfield anchor’s influence on both attack and defence. The recent 3‑0 Community Shield loss to Arsenal served as a stark reminder of the void left by his departure. Following the confirmation of his move, Rodri posted an emotional farewell letter to the Manchester City faithful on the club’s official website.
He began by acknowledging the difficulty of saying goodbye, then expressed deep gratitude for the love and support he and his family received over the years. He recalled the excitement he felt on signing for City, describing the moment as "pure excitement – wow I am going to play with Kevin, Aguero, Silva, Bernardo, John and many others". He praised Pep Guardiola for the tactical education he received, admitting that at times the complexity of the system was overwhelming. Rodri reflected on the expectations placed on the squad and how, over time, the team rose to meet them, creating a legacy that extended beyond trophies.
He highlighted memorable milestones: his first trophy on debut, last‑minute winners such as the dramatic away victory over Arsenal, a crucial goal against Aston Villa that helped secure the Premier League title, and the decisive strike in the Champions League final that delivered the coveted European crown. He also mentioned the pride of becoming the first player to win the Ballon d'Or while wearing a sky‑blue shirt, an honour that resonated deeply with him.
The midfielder celebrated the collective achievements – the treble, four consecutive league titles, and the historic moments that future generations may never witness. He also acknowledged the support during challenging periods, noting that the fans never abandoned him.
Rodri spoke fondly of life off the pitch, recalling personal moments such as his brother’s graduation from Manchester Metropolitan University and his girlfriend’s work with the NHS. He described Manchester’s cultural imprint on him – from the chorus of fans chanting "nah, nah, nah, nah…CITY" to sipping coffee on a scooter, strolling through parks while Oasis played, and even embracing the city’s famously rainy weather. In closing, Rodri thanked the club, supporters, staff, and teammates, declaring that his journey would never have been the same without them and affirming that his heart will always remain "Blue".
As he embarks on his new chapter in Barcelona, the football world watches to see how his experience and leadership will bolster the Catalan side, while Manchester City continues its search for a player capable of filling the substantial gap left by one of the modern game’s most effective midfield pivots.