Deal Nears Completion
Manchester City and Barcelona have moved into the final stages of negotiations to bring Rodri back to the English capital, with an initial fee hovering around $63.5 million (£47 million) and the possibility of add‑on clauses that could push the total higher.
The Spanish midfielder, a World Cup winner with his national side, has been sidelined in Manchester while he completes his recovery, but sources close to the club expect him to be cleared for training by August 14, just two days before the Community Shield against Arsenal.
The two clubs have been unable to bridge a roughly $20 million gap in their valuations, a chasm that could be narrowed by the inclusion of a Barcelona player in the swap, though no specific name has been confirmed.
Amid the stalemate, Manchester City have reportedly turned their attention to 19‑year‑old midfielder Tommy Marqués, while also considering Enzo Fernández, the former Chelsea playmaker, as a contingency option should the Rodri transfer falter.
Barcelona’s new manager, Hansi Flick, has publicly urged the club to finalize the deal quickly so that the team can begin integrating the midfielder into pre‑season preparations ahead of the upcoming campaign.
In the absence of Rodri, Manchester City have already distributed minutes among Mateo Kovačić, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico González, while midfielder Elliot Anderson, who recently joined Nottingham Forest, has been unavailable for preseason friendlies due to England’s participation in the third‑place playoff.
Seasonal Outlook
The resolution of this transfer saga will not only shape City’s midfield options but also influence Barcelona’s strategy as they look to reinforce their squad before the new season kicks off, with both clubs eager to turn the negotiations into a mutually beneficial agreement.