Barcelona has stepped up its efforts to sign Manchester City star Rodri, presenting a new verbal proposal amid growing confidence within the Catalan club that the deal can be finalized during the summer transfer window.
Reports from England align with information revealed by journalist Miguel Sanz in the Catalan newspaper Sport. The gap between the two clubs has narrowed, but a final agreement still requires fine-tuning regarding the fixed transfer fee and the conditions of the add-ons.
Details of Barcelona’s New Offer
Barcelona’s new verbal proposal stands at €60 million plus variables, while Manchester City is holding firm to an €80 million valuation to sanction the Spanish midfielder’s departure.
Unwilling to directly meet the English champions’ demands, Barcelona has set a strict €70 million ceiling for the operation, aiming to avoid depleting its budget following other summer transfer activities.
According to Miguel Sanz, Barcelona’s management is currently exploring a formula that involves a fixed payment of €60 million to €65 million, with the remainder covered by performance-related incentives tied to the player’s appearances or the team’s achievements.
The most plausible compromise appears to be a €65 million fixed fee alongside €5 million in easily achievable add-ons. This structure would allow Barcelona to respect its financial limits while providing Manchester City with a package close to its initial asking price.
Despite the prevailing optimism, no official agreement exists between the clubs yet, and the latest offer remains strictly verbal. Consequently, the nature of the variables and the payment structure for the fixed amount will be decisive in the final stages of negotiations.
Rodri’s Agreement and Contract Length
Personal terms pose no hurdle to the transfer. Rodri has already reached an agreement with Barcelona on a four-year contract, which would keep him at the Catalan club until the summer of 2030 if the deal goes through.
This preliminary agreement guarantees the Spanish international a spot among Barcelona’s top three highest earners, reflecting the crucial role he is expected to play in head coach Hansi Flick’s project.
Rodri had previously given the green light to join Barcelona—despite being linked with Real Madrid and several other top European clubs—making club-to-club negotiations the sole remaining obstacle to his La Liga return.
The stylistic synergy between Barcelona’s philosophy and the football Rodri has mastered at Manchester City and with the Spanish national team heavily favored the Catalan side. Their shared emphasis on possession, counter-pressing, and building from the pivot aligns perfectly with his strengths.
Why is Manchester City Demanding €80 Million?
Rodri’s contract with Manchester City runs until June 2027, meaning he is entering the final year of his deal. Barcelona is attempting to leverage this fact to drive down the price, hoping City will want to avoid losing him for a lower fee or on a free transfer next year.
However, Manchester City remains steadfast due to the player’s immense sporting value. Rodri has been a cornerstone of the Pep Guardiola era since arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2019, famously securing the club’s first-ever Champions League title by scoring the winning goal in the 2023 final.
The Spaniard also claimed the Ballon d’Or in 2024, adding to his five Premier League titles, Champions League, and Club World Cup triumphs, before leading his country to the 2026 World Cup title and being named the tournament’s best player.
Rodri’s physical condition is also a factor in the deal’s calculations. He suffered successive injuries over the past two seasons and underwent minor back surgery following his World Cup campaign with Spain.
Current indications suggest that meeting in the middle at €70 million could unlock the transfer. However, Rodri’s move will not be guaranteed until Manchester City officially accepts the financial structure and the remaining paperwork is finalized.
