Rodri snubs Real Madrid to pursue Barcelona move in €60m deal with Manchester City

Barcelona are closing in on the signing of Rodri from Manchester City, with the Spain international having told Real Madrid he prefers a move to the Catalan club, according to Diario AS as cited by Barca Universal. The reported deal involves a transfer fee of around €60m and a four-year contract worth approximately €30m gross per season.

Barcelona’s pursuit has not been straightforward on the financial side. Yahoo Sports reported that the club submitted a second offer of €60m plus add-ons after an initial bid of €45m was rejected by City. That revised proposal was designed to close the gap with Manchester City’s reported asking price of €80m, and negotiations between the two clubs were said to be ongoing, with Barcelona keen to finalise an agreement quickly so Rodri could join training as soon as possible.

Rodri’s preference for Barcelona over Real Madrid is said to stem from several factors. According to AS, the 30-year-old is comfortable with the club’s playing style, has existing relationships with several Barcelona squad members through the Spain national team, and is drawn to the footballing philosophy that traces its roots to Pep Guardiola — the manager who shaped much of his development at City.

Real Madrid had also been tracking the midfielder, but Barcelona moved ahead in the race, according to Barca Universal. Rodri’s decision to rule out the Bernabéu effectively hands Barcelona a clear run at completing the transfer.

Should the deal go through on the reported terms, it would rank among Barcelona’s most significant financial commitments since Hansi Flick took over as head coach. Barca Universal noted that Rodri would step into the role of one of the club’s top earners, effectively filling the salary bracket vacated by Robert Lewandowski, who departed at the end of his contract last season.