Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign Spain captain Rodri for a fee of around £65m, with the midfielder expected to complete his move to the Catalan club in the coming days.
The 30-year-old midfielder is set to sign a four-year contract with the Spanish champions, bringing an end to his highly successful seven-year spell at Manchester City.
Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for approximately £62.8m, then a club-record fee for the English side. During his time at the Etihad, he made 298 appearances and played a key role in one of the most successful periods in the club's history.
Rodri Leaves City With Major Honours
The Spanish midfielder departs Manchester City having collected 12 major trophies, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League during the 2022-23 season.
His individual achievements have also been impressive. Rodri won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, becoming the first Manchester City player to receive the prestigious award.
His time at City was interrupted by injury, with a serious knee problem ruling him out for much of the 2024-25 campaign. He also experienced a hamstring issue during parts of the following season.
Despite those setbacks, Rodri returned to top form on the international stage. He played a major role in Spain's World Cup triumph during the summer and was named the tournament's best player.
Barcelona Beat Competition From Real Madrid
Barcelona's move for Rodri comes after Manchester City rejected an initial offer worth around £38.5m last week.
With Rodri approaching the final year of his City contract, speculation had increased over his future. Real Madrid had previously appeared to be one of the leading destinations for the midfielder, but Barcelona intensified their pursuit and have now reportedly secured his signature.
The move would give Barcelona one of the world's most accomplished defensive midfielders and add considerable experience to their squad.
Manchester City Face Losing a Key Player
Rodri's departure represents a major change for Manchester City, where he has been an important part of the team's success under Pep Guardiola.
Following City's defeat by Arsenal in the Community Shield, manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged Rodri's quality and importance.
“Rodri is a player who just won the World Cup and Ballon d'Or,” Maresca said. He added that every team would benefit from having a player of Rodri's calibre.
Barcelona will now look to complete the remaining formalities before officially unveiling Rodri as their latest major signing.
