Manchester City Firm on Rodri Price Amid Barcelona Interest

Manchester City have drawn a hard line in the sand over Rodri – and Barcelona have just found out how hard.

The Spanish champions tested the water with an opening bid of €45million (£38m) for the midfield lynchpin. Inside the Etihad, that figure was dismissed as “derisory”. City want almost double: €80m (£68.5m) for a player they still regard as central to everything they do.

Rodri’s desire to return to Spain is no secret. For a long time, the smart money had him heading to Real Madrid. They looked to be in pole position, the natural next step for a player of his stature. Then Barcelona arrived late to the party, made their pitch, and Rodri chose them.

Multiple outlets report that personal terms with Barça are already agreed. On the player’s side, the path is clear. On the clubs’ side, it is anything but.

City push back

TEAMtalk report that City’s hierarchy were unimpressed by Barcelona’s first move. The Premier League champions have accepted Rodri’s wish to leave, but not at a cut‑price fee. Their response to Barça’s bid was blunt: the offer is nowhere near enough, and until that changes, nothing moves.

So Rodri is expected back at City to continue his recovery from minor back surgery. No special dispensation, no early exit. He remains a City player, and he will stay that way unless Barcelona come back with something far more serious.

Inside the club, they are even keeping the door open to a twist. With only a year left on his current deal, City are prepared to offer Rodri a new contract. If the market does not meet their valuation, they are ready for him to see out that final year in Manchester rather than buckle under financial pressure.

They believe his worth. They intend to be paid it.

Barcelona plan their next move

Barcelona’s financial problems have been dissected for years, yet their ambition rarely shrinks. This saga is no different. The rejected bid is not expected to be the end of it.

David Ornstein has reported that City want around €75m and that Barcelona will return with a new offer. Inside Camp Nou, there is optimism. They know Rodri has already agreed terms and see him as a cornerstone for their next cycle.

From City’s side, the message is icy clear: the numbers Barcelona have floated so far are nowhere near high enough to even start serious negotiations. Until the Catalan club step up, this is a stand-off, not a deal in progress.

Bouaddi lined up as the heir

While the Rodri saga rumbles on, City are not standing still.

Fabrizio Romano reports that negotiations with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi are in the final stages, with an agreement between the clubs described as very close. Talks with the player’s camp are ongoing, but City expect to close the deal soon.

The plan is obvious. Secure Bouaddi, then turn fully to the rest of their summer business. It does not mean they are resigned to losing Rodri, but it does show they are preparing for that possibility.

Barcelona must now decide how far they are willing – or able – to go for the midfielder they have convinced on a personal level. City have set the price. The player has made his choice. The next bid will tell everyone how serious this chase really is.