Manchester City will demand upwards of £60 million from Barcelona to complete a move for midfielder Rodri this summer. Barcelona started talks between the clubs and had an opening bid of nearly £40 million rejected.
The 30-year-old Spain World Cup-winning captain has agreed personal terms with Barcelona as he seeks a fresh challenge. Rodri had been in negotiations with Real Madrid, but he communicated to them earlier in the week that Barcelona was his preferred destination in a bitter blow to Jose Mourinho's title hopes.
Transfer Negotiations and Replacement Plans
City have a history of allowing unhappy players to leave if their valuation is met, and they are standing firm in talks. While working on a transfer worth more than £80 million for Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, City sources indicated they are ready to sign an experienced replacement if Rodri departs.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner remained coy about his future while on international duty, but he is believed to have been open to a return to Spain once Pep Guardiola's reign ended. Guardiola suggested last season that Rodri would not return to his best until the World Cup while battling injury problems after a devastating ACL injury sustained two years ago.
Daily Mail Sport revealed that Rodri underwent back surgery immediately after lifting the World Cup. City have kept an offer of a new contract on the table for the player, whose deal expires next summer, and he is scheduled to link up with Enzo Maresca's squad next week.
