Manchester City poised to replace Rodri with Bouaddi as Barcelona close in on £75m deal

Manchester City are preparing for a significant midfield overhaul following reports that Barcelona have agreed to a £65 million transfer fee for Rodri, with an additional £10 million in add-ons. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the 30-year-old Spain captain is set to sign a four-year contract with the Spanish club, marking a definitive end to his tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

The departure of Rodri, who won the 2024 Ballon d'Or and captained Spain to World Cup glory, was initially resisted by Manchester City after they rejected an earlier £38.5 million offer. However, the agreement now paves the way for the club to accelerate its recruitment strategy under newly appointed manager Enzo Maresca.

In a corresponding move to bolster the midfield, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester City are set to secure the signing of 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The deal is expected to be finalised imminently, with Bouaddi joining Maresca’s squad directly rather than returning to Lille on loan for the 2026-27 season.

Bouaddi, who has represented Morocco at the international level, is viewed as a holding midfielder capable of partnering with existing squad members such as Elliot Anderson. Maresca has acknowledged the significance of losing Rodri but has maintained a pragmatic stance on the club’s ability to adapt, emphasising the necessity of structural changes to maintain competitiveness.

The timing of these potential transfers coincides with the closing stages of the transfer window, which is set to shut in two weeks. With Rodri’s exit now confirmed in principle and Bouaddi’s arrival anticipated, City are moving to address the void left by the departure of key personnel, including reports that Tijjani Reijnders is also on his way to the club.