Barcelona have reached agreement with Manchester City for Rodri, with the Spain international reportedly authorised to fly to the city as paperwork is finalised. The move is being driven by more than a headline fee. Barcelona need midfield cover with Frenkie de Jong out through a long-term knee injury, while City are preparing to lose the player who has anchored their balance for seven years.

Barcelona's midfield problem

Rodri, now 30, joined City from Atletico Madrid in July 2019 for £62.8 million and has spent seven years at the club. Manchester City have accepted Barcelona’s third bid, worth £65.4 million, and he is expected to leave before the 2026/27 season begins.

Barcelona are trying to add control to a side that already won 31 of 38 league matches in 2025 and scored 95 league goals. That is a strong attacking base, but the De Jong injury leaves a gap in the middle that Rodri is built to fill.

The fee reporting varies

The package is still being described differently across outlets. David Ornstein of The Athletic said Manchester City will receive an initial fee worth £51.2 million, with the rest in add-ons, most of which are “achievable”. Fabrizio Romano, quoted by Barca Universal, said Barcelona had already arranged Rodri’s medical and expected him to sign a four-year contract running until 2030.

Reporters have also put the total transfer value at different levels, from £65.4 million to €76.5 million, with Barca Universal saying City can realistically expect at least €71.5 million. Goal added that Atletico Madrid are due at least €1.6 million and could rise to about €2 million through FIFA’s solidarity mechanism, with Villarreal also set to benefit.

City may still have finished second in the 2025 Premier League with 78 points, but losing Rodri is still a serious shift. Barcelona are not buying a luxury option here. They are moving for the player who makes the rest of the midfield work, and the timing points to a team that wants him in place before the La Liga opener against Elche on August 23.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →