A €70m-rated midfielder from Manchester City is now in negotiations with Barcelona over a potential move to Camp Nou.
Having initially looked set for a potential return to the Spanish capital, the decorated engine-room general delivered a swift rejection to Los Blancos after being captivated by Hansi Flick’s tactical vision in Catalonia.
Barcelona’s hierarchy accelerated negotiations following a long-term injury to Frenkie de Jong, identifying the Premier League superstar as the ideal anchor to solidify their central midfield setup for the upcoming campaign.
The marquee maestro at the center of this sensational saga is 30-year-old Spanish international and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
According to Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport , Rodri has informed Manchester City of his intention to embark on a new challenge in La Liga with Barcelona.
While Pep Guardiola’s side originally sought a figure closer to €80 million, Premier League insiders indicate City are willing to respect the player’s distinguished service and agree to a fee between €60 million and €70 million to facilitate the transaction.
For Barcelona, securing a world-class defensive midfielder of Rodri’s stature represents a massive statement of intent.
Head coach Hansi Flick personally contacted the midfielder to explain how his elite distribution, positional discipline, and leadership would serve as the cornerstone of Barça’s domestic and European ambitions.
Furthermore, Rodri’s existing familiarity with key figures in the Barcelona dressing room from the Spanish national team has played a pivotal role in convincing him that Catalonia is his ideal home.
While Manchester City and Barcelona maintain positive institutional relations to negotiate the final payment structure, personal terms remain the final hurdle to overcome.
Given the Catalan club’s ongoing wage cap constraints under La Liga financial regulations, Rodri may be required to accept a restructured salary package.
Nevertheless, with the player’s heart set firmly on wearing the Blaugrana jersey, all parties remain confident that a landmark deal will be finalized shortly.
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