Manchester City Firm on Rodri Transfer Standoff
Manchester City have drawn a hard line over Rodri – and Barcelona have just found out how hard.
The Spanish champions tested the water with an opening offer of €45million (£38m) for the midfield lynchpin. Inside the Etihad, that proposal went down badly. One source described it as “derisory”, and City’s response has been swift and unequivocal: Rodri will not be leaving on the cheap.
City value the 28-year-old at around €80m (£68.5m) and see no reason to move from that stance, even with the player keen on a return to Spain. His desire to go home has been an open secret for some time, with Real Madrid initially viewed as the most likely destination. They were thought to be in pole position until Barcelona entered the race and, crucially, won over the player.
Multiple outlets report that Rodri has already agreed personal terms with Barça. That part of the deal, from his side at least, is done. The problem lies between the clubs, and City have made it clear they will dictate the pace.
For now, the Premier League champions expect Rodri back at the training ground to continue his recovery from minor back surgery. There is no special treatment, no early release. He remains a City player, and he will stay that way until Barcelona return with a proposal that actually starts a conversation.
Inside the club, there is even talk of going the other way: a new contract. With only a year left on his current deal, City are open to putting fresh terms on the table. If no acceptable bid lands, they are prepared to keep him for the final year rather than bow to financial pressure and sell below their valuation.
Barcelona, of course, know all about financial pressure. Their economic problems have been laid bare for years, but they are not walking away from this pursuit. According to David Ornstein, a new bid is already being prepared.
“Understand #MCFC want around €75m. Barcelona will be back with a new bid and remain optimistic. Rodri has already agreed terms,” Ornstein reported, adding that City view the numbers communicated so far as nowhere near enough “to even begin negotiations over a potential sale.”
So the standoff sharpens. Rodri wants Barcelona. Barcelona want Rodri. City want a fee that reflects his status as one of the most influential midfielders in Europe.
Behind the scenes, the champions are not standing still. Fabrizio Romano reports that City are closing in on Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, a move that would help soften the blow if Rodri eventually walks through the exit door.
“The negotiations for Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City are moving to the final stages, deal very close between clubs,” Romano wrote. City are “on the verge” of an agreement with Lille, with talks on the player side ongoing. The plan is clear: wrap up Bouaddi, then turn fully to the rest of their summer business.
For now, though, the spotlight stays fixed on Rodri. Barcelona have made their move and been rebuffed. The next offer will show how badly they want him – and how far they are willing to stretch a fragile budget to prise a cornerstone out of Pep Guardiola’s midfield.
