Rodri has reportedly shifted his preference from Real Madrid to Barcelona, which changes the shape of a chase that was already messy. He has informed Real Madrid of his decision and his desire to join Barcelona. The issue now is not just where he wants to go, but whether Manchester City will sell their midfield cornerstone this summer.
City's stance and the price range
Rodri has one year remaining on his Manchester City contract, and City do not want to sell him. They want him to sign a new long-term deal, but the reported numbers give Barcelona a possible opening. City are hoping to receive around €80 million, yet may accept €60 million to €70 million from Barcelona.
Jamie Carragher was blunt about the value point, telling Sky Sports: "£40-50m? If you're Manchester City, what's the point in selling them? You might as well just keep them for the extra year. He's as good as anybody in that position in the Premier League, probably the best."
Barcelona's pull and the timing
Barcelona's interest is being driven by Frenkie de Jong's serious knee ligament injury, which is expected to keep him out for four to five months. That has left a gap in midfield, and Rodri is being framed as the kind of player who fits Hansi Flick and the club's wider project.
The case for Barcelona is strong enough to explain why they are pushing now. Rodri's quality has not become a mystery overnight, and the context around him is hardly weak either. He has 8 World Cup appearances, a 7.57 World Cup rating and 745 minutes in the tournament, which underline why this is being treated as a high-end summer move rather than a speculative one.
Barcelona want his future resolved before Manchester City's pre-season on August 13, while Sky Sports reported that they have been encouraged by their chances if he moves this window. The choice has already shifted once. The next question is whether City accept the price before that date arrives.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →
