Rodri is edging closer to becoming a Barcelona player after Manchester City agreed to accept a £65.4m offer from the Spanish giants for the midfielder.
The 30-year-old Spain international, who was part of the 2010 World Cup-winning generation? Wait, no. The source states he is a World Cup winner. With only one year remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, Rodri had made his desire to join Barcelona known. City were not eager to lose one of their most important players, but the situation left them with limited room to negotiate as his deal was due to expire next summer.
The agreement represents a significant change from Barcelona’s earlier attempts to secure the midfielder. City turned down an offer worth approximately €45m (£38.5m) before rejecting a second proposal worth around €60m (£51m) last week. The latest bid, however, has been accepted.
City Unable to Convince Rodri to Stay
Following Manchester City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, Maresca praised Rodri’s importance to any side, describing him as a “top player” and insisting that every team needs a player of his quality.
Despite those comments, City could not convince their midfield anchor to commit his future to the club with a new contract.
Rodri had only returned to City on Friday after undergoing back surgery following the World Cup. When he rejoined the squad, Maresca revealed that he welcomed the midfielder with a “big hug” as the pair met again.
His departure would bring an end to a highly successful seven-year spell in Manchester. During that period, Rodri helped City win the Premier League on four occasions and produced the decisive goal in their 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan.
Injury Problems Interrupted His Final Seasons
Rodri’s individual achievements have also been remarkable. He collected the Ballon d’Or in the year after City’s Champions League triumph, although by the time he received the prestigious award, he was already recovering from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury.
That setback kept him out for much of the 2024-25 season. His final campaign under Pep Guardiola was also disrupted by hamstring and groin problems, restricting him to 33 appearances.
City are therefore preparing for another major reshaping of their midfield. The club have already invested £116m in Elliot Anderson and have agreed to transfer Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah.
Bouaddi Move Could Help Fill Midfield Gap
Manchester City are also nearing an agreement for Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed during the World Cup and has emerged as another important target for their midfield rebuild.
Lille had initially wanted any transfer arrangement to include a 12-month loan, allowing the young midfielder to remain with the French club for another season. City, however, now want Bouaddi to join immediately.
The change in stance is partly explained by the departures of Bernardo Silva and Rodri. With Maresca looking to strengthen his midfield ahead of the new campaign, the club are keen to have the Morocco international available from the start of the season rather than sending him back to Lille on loan.
City have also been associated with Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández and continue to monitor his situation, leaving the club with several options as they reshape a midfield that is set to look considerably different next season.
