Barcelona secure Rodri from Manchester City in £65.4m deal
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner agrees four-year contract as Manchester City accept bid following rejection of initial offer
Manchester City have accepted a £65.4 million transfer bid from Barcelona for Spanish midfielder Rodri, according to reports from British media. The 30-year-old has agreed to a four-year contract with the Spanish club and is expected to finalise the move at the Nou Camp next week.
The agreement concludes a period of negotiation that began with an initial offer of £38.5 million, which was rejected by Manchester City. The final fee represents a significant increase on the £62.8 million City paid to sign Rodri from Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Rodri departs the Etihad Stadium after seven seasons, during which he made 298 appearances and secured 12 major honours. His trophy cabinet includes four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the Champions League.
The midfielder, who captained Spain to World Cup victory and won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, had one year remaining on his existing contract. City had previously sought to extend his tenure, but the deal with Barcelona moves forward as Rodri returns to his homeland.
His immediate availability remains uncertain following recent medical procedures. Rodri underwent minor back surgery and returned to the club’s training ground on Friday, missing Manchester City’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
