Manchester City have accepted a bid from Barcelona for Rodri, clearing the way for the World Cup-winning Spain midfielder to complete a move to the Nou Camp in the coming days. British media reported on Sunday that the two clubs had struck an agreement worth around £65.4 million, roughly $88.5 million, bringing an end to months of speculation about the 30-year-old’s future at the Etihad Stadium.
Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, is understood to have already agreed personal terms on a four-year contract with the Spanish champions. He is expected to travel to Barcelona in the coming days to undergo a medical and put pen to paper on the deal, with the club hoping to unveil him to supporters shortly afterward. For Rodri, the switch represents a homecoming of sorts, reuniting him with Spanish football at a club he has long been linked with.
The move brings to a close a hugely successful seven-year spell in Manchester for Rodri, who joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then club-record fee of around £62.8 million. Since arriving in England, Rodri made 298 appearances for City and became one of the most influential midfielders in world football, anchoring a side that dominated English and European football for the best part of a decade.
During his time at the Etihad, Rodri won 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League. His performances for both club and country over the past two years, capped by Spain’s World Cup triumph, established Rodri as arguably the best defensive midfielder of his generation, a status that earned him the Ballon d’Or ahead of a host of more attack-minded rivals.
City had reportedly hoped to convince Rodri to sign a contract extension, with just one year remaining on his existing deal. However, with Barcelona’s interest intensifying and Rodri himself said to be open to a return to Spanish football, City ultimately opted to accept the bid rather than risk losing their captain-in-waiting for nothing next summer. The transfer fee, while significant, is understood to represent a compromise between the two clubs after weeks of negotiation.
Rodri’s exit comes at a difficult moment for City, who were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal in the Community Shield at the weekend as they began their new season without their talismanic midfielder. Rodri missed that match, having only returned to first-team training on Friday following minor back surgery over the summer. His fitness had already been a talking point after a serious injury sidelined him for much of the previous campaign, and City’s underwhelming display against Arsenal will only heighten scrutiny of how the club plans to replace him.
For Barcelona, signing Rodri would represent a major statement of intent as they look to reassert themselves domestically and in Europe. The club has long admired his composure in possession, tactical intelligence and ability to dictate the tempo of a match from deep midfield, qualities that made him indispensable under Pep Guardiola at City. Barcelona’s manager is expected to build his midfield around Rodri, with the club viewing the Spaniard as the final piece needed to compete for major honours once again.
Should the deal be finalised as expected, Rodri would become one of the most high-profile departures from City in recent years, underlining how significantly the balance of power in Spanish and English football continues to shift. Fans on both sides of the transfer have reacted with a mix of excitement and disbelief, with many City supporters expressing gratitude for Rodri’s contribution while acknowledging the scale of the challenge in replacing him. Further details, including an official announcement from both clubs, are expected in the coming days.
