Barcelona have officially announced the acquisition of Rodri from Manchester City, sealing a deal reported to be worth around £65.4 million. The 30‑year‑old Spanish midfielder, a World Cup champion and former Ballon d'Or winner who was instrumental in City’s recent domestic and European triumphs, has committed himself to a four‑year contract with the Catalan giants. Rodri entered the negotiations with just a single year remaining on his Manchester City agreement. Although the English club attempted to persuade him to extend his stay, Barcelona’s third and final offer proved irresistible, prompting the player to make the switch.
Prior to the successful conclusion, City had turned down two earlier bids – one in the region of £40 million and a second at £55 million – before finally agreeing to the £65.4 million package. The transfer comes at a time when Enzo Maresca’s Barcelona side are already busy reshaping their midfield. In addition to Rodri’s departure, the club are preparing for the exit of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who is set to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Qadsiah for an estimated £51 million. The Catalans are therefore actively scouting for replacements who can fill the void left by these two influential players.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have not been idle. The Premier League champions remain interested in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, even though they missed the official deadline of 5 p.m. on 14 August to submit a formal bid.
In parallel, City are in advanced talks with French club Lille regarding a potential move for Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi. Lille are believed to be asking for a fee in the vicinity of £85 million, a figure that was confirmed by City’s head coach, Pep Guardiola, during a weekend press conference.
Statistically, Rodri’s influence on City’s performance has been profound. Since his arrival from Atlético Madrid ahead of the 2019/20 season, the team’s record without him in the starting eleven has been starkly different. In the 87 matches where he was not part of the initial lineup, City suffered 20 defeats – almost double the loss rate compared with the 179 games he started, where they lost 21 times.
The win percentage dropped from an impressive 71.5 % with Rodri on the pitch to just 62.1 % when he was absent. Moreover, the side’s offensive output fell while the number of goals conceded rose, underscoring his pivotal role as a deep‑lying playmaker and defensive anchor. The recent 3‑0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield highlighted how the squad can appear vulnerable without his presence.
Fans and pundits alike noted a noticeable dip in cohesion and tactical discipline, reinforcing the narrative that Rodri’s departure will leave a tangible gap in City’s midfield engine room. In a heartfelt farewell letter posted on the club’s official website, Rodri expressed his gratitude to the City faithful. He wrote: "Dear City fans, saying goodbye is one of the hardest things in life, but I will try. It is difficult to find words that fully capture the love, gratitude and support my family and I have received over the years.
I still remember the excitement of signing for Manchester City – the moment I thought, ‘Wow, I will share the pitch with Kevin, Aguero, Silva, Bernardo, John and many others.’ I could not stop smiling." He went on to praise manager Pep Guardiola, acknowledging the tactical education he received: "Pep, from day one you taught me everything. I could never have imagined handling all those tactics in my head, but you showed me it was possible.
The question that always lingered was whether we could live up to the expectations for years to come – time answered that question." Rodri reflected on the legacy they built together, emphasizing both the trophies and the manner in which they were won: "We created a legacy that inspires future generations, not just through our success but through the way we achieved it. The fans stood with us at every step. I cherish countless moments – my first trophy on debut, last‑minute winners like the away victory at Arsenal, scoring the crucial goal against Aston Villa that secured the Premier League, and the unforgettable strike that clinched the Champions League." He also highlighted the personal milestones that intertwined with his football career: "The reception after winning the Ballon d’Or, being the first player to lift that award in a sky‑blue shirt, will stay with me forever.
Winning the treble, then four league titles in a row, we witnessed things that future teams may never see. Even in tough times, the fans never let me down. When I returned to the pitch after an injury, I felt the love of the supporters and realised how special they truly are." Beyond football, Rodri acknowledged how Manchester shaped his life off the field: "City helped me grow not only as a player but as a person.
I watched my brother graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University, saw my girlfriend work for the NHS, and enjoyed simple pleasures like taking my scooter into town for a coffee, strolling through the parks while Oasis played, and embracing the city’s famous rain." He concluded his letter with a sincere goodbye: "So, City fans, it is time to say farewell. Thank you to the club, the supporters, the staff and my teammates. This journey would not have been the same without you – my heart will always be blue." As Rodri prepares to embark on his new chapter in Barcelona, both clubs face pivotal moments. The Catalans must now identify suitable midfield reinforcements to sustain their ambitions in La Liga and Europe, while Manchester City will need to replace a player whose tactical intelligence and positional discipline were central to their recent dominance.
The upcoming transfer window promises to be eventful, with potential bids for Enzo Fernández, Ayyoub Bouaddi and other targets likely to shape the next season for both sides. For fans eager to follow the latest developments, the Sky Sports app offers live updates, transfer news and exclusive content.
Stay tuned as the story unfolds, and keep an eye on the market for further moves that could redefine the competitive landscape of European football.