LONDON — Manchester City have turned down an improved £55 million bid from Barcelona for Rodri, with the Premier League club refusing to part ways with their talismanic midfielder below their £60 million valuation.
The latest proposal follows an opening offer of £38.5 million that was swiftly rebuffed by City executives last week. While Barcelona are growing increasingly aggressive in their pursuit, negotiations remain at an impasse as the clock ticks down on the summer transfer window.
The Battle for Rodri Intensifies
Rodri finds himself at the center of the summer’s most explosive transfer saga as he enters the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium. Having previously turned down offers of a contract extension, the 30-year-old midfielder has emerged as Barcelona’s top priority following a serious knee injury to Frenkie de Jong.
Sources indicate that personal terms have already been discussed between the player’s camp and the Catalan giants, particularly after initial talks involving Real Madrid ultimately fizzled out. However, Manchester City are adamant that any departure must match their financial terms, leaving Barcelona pressured to increase their bid further.
Fresh Off World Cup Glory
The Spanish international’s stock has never been higher. Rodri enters the current transfer window on the back of a masterclass performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he captained Spain to the tournament trophy and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Since joining Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2019, Rodri has cemented his status as arguably the best defensive midfielder in world football, collecting four Premier League titles, a Champions League medal, and the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
