Barcelona are preparing a third offer for Manchester City midfielder Rodri as the Catalan giants intensify their efforts to bring the Spain international back to La Liga.
The latest development comes after Manchester City rejected Barcelona’s previous proposals, with the Premier League champions maintaining a higher valuation for the 30 year old midfielder. Barcelona, however, have not abandoned their pursuit and are reportedly preparing another bid in an attempt to finally break the deadlock.
The transfer saga has developed rapidly over the past week. Barcelona initially submitted an offer worth around €45 million, approximately £38.5 million, but City immediately turned it down, believing the proposal was well below their valuation of one of their most important players. Reports indicated that City wanted at least £60 million for Rodri.
Barcelona subsequently returned with an improved proposal believed to be worth around £51 million, potentially including additional payments. Manchester City rejected that offer as well, leaving the Spanish club facing the possibility of having to significantly increase its financial commitment.
Rather than walking away, Barcelona are now preparing a third bid.
Reports suggest the latest package could reach around €70 million, although the exact structure of the proposed agreement remains unclear. The Catalan club reportedly believes that a deal can still be reached despite City’s previous resistance.
Rodri’s position could also become crucial to the negotiations.
The Spanish midfielder is reportedly open to returning to Barcelona, a move that would represent a homecoming to Spain after several highly successful years in the Premier League. His preference could potentially strengthen Barcelona’s negotiating position, particularly if City conclude that keeping an unhappy player with only a limited period remaining on his contract is not the best long term solution.
Manchester City, however, are not expected to simply give away one of the most influential midfielders in European football.
Rodri has been central to City’s success since joining the club from Atlético Madrid in 2019. Under Pep Guardiola, he developed into one of the world’s outstanding defensive midfielders, combining his ability to control possession with intelligent positioning, tackling and passing.
His importance to Manchester City’s midfield became particularly clear during the club’s historic treble winning campaign in the 2022/23 season. Rodri scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, securing City’s first European Cup and completing a historic treble.
His individual achievements have also been remarkable. In 2024, Rodri won the Ballon d’Or after another outstanding campaign for club and country, becoming the first Spanish men’s player to receive the prestigious award since 1960.
His international career has been equally impressive. Rodri has become a key figure for Spain and played an important role in the country’s major tournament successes. His leadership, technical quality and ability to dictate the tempo from deep have made him one of the most complete midfielders of his generation.
Barcelona’s interest therefore comes as little surprise.
The Catalan club have been searching for midfield quality and experience, and Rodri would fit naturally into a possession based system. His understanding of Spanish football and technical ability could also make his adaptation to Barcelona straightforward.
A move would have an additional emotional dimension because Rodri is a Spanish international returning to La Liga at the peak of his career.
For Manchester City, however, losing Rodri would create a major problem.
The club have already begun planning for the possibility of his departure. Manchester City are reportedly considering Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández as one of their leading options to replace him. However, Chelsea have placed a £120 million valuation on the Argentine and have reportedly set a Friday deadline for any serious proposal.
City are also strengthening their midfield options through other deals. Elliott Anderson has arrived from Nottingham Forest for a reported £116 million, while the club are also pursuing Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
These moves suggest that Manchester City are preparing for several possible changes in midfield, although Rodri’s departure would still represent a significant loss.
There is also the financial question.
Barcelona must balance their desire to sign Rodri with the club’s financial limitations. Increasing their offer towards City’s reported valuation could make negotiations difficult, particularly if the final package approaches €70 million.
City, meanwhile, have little reason to accept a significantly reduced fee for a player of Rodri’s calibre unless they believe his departure is inevitable.
The timing of the negotiations could therefore prove decisive. Barcelona want the midfielder secured as quickly as possible so he can integrate into the squad ahead of the new La Liga campaign, while Manchester City need clarity over their midfield before the Premier League season begins.
The latest reports indicate that Barcelona remain confident despite the two rejected offers.
For Barcelona supporters, the possibility of seeing Rodri in the famous Blaugrana shirt represents an exciting prospect. For City fans, however, the prospect of losing their midfield anchor is understandably worrying.
The coming days could therefore determine whether the Spanish giants finally succeed in their pursuit or whether Manchester City once again reject the approach.
With a third bid reportedly on the way, the Rodri transfer saga is entering a decisive stage.
