FC Barcelona have opened lines of communication with Manchester City and Rodri’s representatives over a possible move for the Spain captain, according to Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic.
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FC Barcelona have taken preliminary steps toward a potential transfer for Rodri, making contact with both Manchester City and the midfielder’s camp, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic.
“Barcelona have made contact with Rodri’s camp and also with Manchester City about a possible move,” Romano wrote on X.
He added that Real Madrid have also been working on the situation, writing: “Real Madrid have been in talks with City for weeks but MCFC didn’t accept to proceed immediately as it felt more clubs were joining the race. It’s up to the player.”
In a follow-up post, Romano reported that Rodri’s preference will be decisive, with both Spanish giants prepared to offer Manchester City a comparable transfer package.
“Rodri has been in negotiations with Real Madrid for weeks as priority, but Barcelona positioned themselves as well while Madrid deal isn’t done yet,” Romano added.
The Athletic’s Barcelona and Real Madrid reporters, Pol Ballus and Mario Cortegana, have also detailed Barcelona’s interest, explaining that the Catalan club are assessing the possibility of bringing the Manchester City midfielder to Camp Nou.
Sources close to the negotiations say that Barça has already held talks with the player’s camp over how a potential deal would look.
FC Barcelona has approached Rodri after Madrid negotiations were described as “practically broken”
That’s what Catalan newspaper SPORT reported earlier on Thursday morning, before The Athletic and Romano published their own breakdowns.
The main sticking point is Real Madrid’s failure to offer something that entices both City and the player, whose contract expires at the Etihad on June 30, 2027.
Last weekend saw reports that the Mancunians see Rodri’s asking price as $86.5 million (€75 million). Madrid only wants to shell out $58 million (€50 million), however, and perhaps make up the rest in add-ons.
SPORT says that Rodri’s asking price has now dropped to a smaller $75 million (€65 million), which is affordable for the Blaugrana.
What must be noted is that there’ll be a short window to get something over the line. There’s no way that Real Madrid President Florentino Perez will tolerate losing a Galactico to his club’s sworn enemy, so expect him to come in with an improved offer in no time.
As already discussed, FC Barcelona doesn’t necessarily need another defensive midfielder – despite Frenkie de Jong’s injury – as it is well-stacked in that area of the pitch. It’s Madrid that does, with a lack of quality in the center of the park since Toni Kroos and Luka Modric moved on a key factor in two trophyless seasons while Barça picked up five out of the six domestic titles on offer.
But this is Rodri, who would gel instantly with international teammates he’s just won the World Cup with – Pau Cubarsi, Pedri and Lamine Yamal to name a few- while giving FC Barcelona plus manager Hansi Flick even more control of the ball to potentially extend domestic dominance.
