Barcelona agree £65m deal to sign Rodri from Man City

Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri for approximately £65 million. The 30-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, is set to join the Spanish champions on a four-year contract. Rodri made 298 appearances for City during his seven seasons at the club, which began in 2019 when he transferred from Atletico Madrid for a then-record £62.8 million.

He missed a significant portion of the 2024-25 season due to a serious knee injury, and parts of last season were affected by a hamstring issue. Despite these setbacks, Rodri was instrumental in Spain's World Cup triumph and was named player of the tournament. At City, Rodri achieved 12 major honors, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups, and the Champions League in 2022-23.

Manchester City initially rejected Barcelona's initial offer of £38.5 million for Rodri, as he was nearing the end of his contract at the Etihad Stadium. However, Barcelona's persistent efforts led to the successful signing. The club's new manager, Enzo Maresca, praised Rodri's World Cup and Ballon d'Or victories, emphasizing the rarity of finding another player of his caliber.

As an alternative to Rodri, the club has been exploring the possibility of signing 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed during the World Cup and is expected to cost around £85 million. Additionally, City is reportedly interested in Chelsea's Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who reportedly wants £120 million from the Premier League champions.