Spanish midfielder Rodri is on the verge of completing a return to Spain after Manchester City accepted a £65.4 million bid from Barcelona. The 30-year-old World Cup winner had entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and explicitly expressed his desire to join the Catalan giants. With his contract expiring next summer, City were reluctant sellers but ultimately decided to accept Barcelona's latest offer.
The transfer brings an end to a trophy-laden seven-year spell in England for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. During his time with Manchester City, Rodri established himself as one of the world's premier defensive midfielders, helping the club secure four Premier League titles. His defining moment came in 2023, when he scored the winning goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League final. However, recent seasons were impacted by fitness challenges, including a severe anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury and recent back surgery.
City had previously rejected two lower offers from Barcelona, including a £51 million bid last week. However, manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged the difficulty of retaining a player who had set his mind on a new challenge. To rebuild their midfield following Rodri's departure and the loss of Bernardo Silva, Manchester City are now closing in on a deal for Lille's teenage star Ayyoub Bouaddi.