Barcelona has joined its arch-rival Real Madrid in the pursuit of Manchester City star Rodri in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Rodri’s contract with City expires in the summer of 2027, and renewal negotiations have stalled. The English club may be forced to sell their Spanish star next summer to recoup some money rather than lose him for free the following year.
According to Bild, Real Madrid is not the only club interested in Rodri. Barcelona is also closely monitoring the 31-year-old’s situation, and the Catalan club believes signing him would be an ideal strategic move to bolster their midfield.
Meanwhile, Manchester City continues its efforts to convince the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner to stay and renew his contract. It seems likely that the player will agree if Pep Guardiola remains at the helm. However, if the manager departs, Rodri’s exciting journey at the Etihad Stadium will likely come to an end.
It remains unclear which Spanish giant Rodri would prefer to join, although some reports previously suggested he would love a new challenge at the Santiago Bernabéu with Real Madrid. He himself has expressed his pride at being linked with the club on more than one occasion.
Real Madrid’s need for Rodri is greater than Barcelona’s, as they are struggling significantly in midfield. The hope is that Rodri can become Toni Kroos’s successor and fill the void left by the German and Croatian legend Luka Modric.
It’s worth noting that Manchester City will demand at least €100 million for Rodri, even with only one year left on his contract—a sum Barcelona, in its current financial situation, cannot afford.
