The future of Manchester City midfielder and Spain captain Rodri has taken a new turn after the player reportedly made it clear that he wants to leave the Etihad and join Barcelona.
Reports from Spain and England indicate that Rodri has made his decision and prefers a move to Barcelona, with his agent, Pablo Barquero, confirming that the midfielder has chosen Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid.
The decision has prompted Barcelona to step up its efforts to sign the 30-year-old midfielder, who remains under contract with Manchester City until June 2027.
For a long time, Real Madrid had been considered one of the leading contenders to sign Rodri, particularly following his impressive performances at the 2026 World Cup.
However, Barcelona has entered the race strongly and appears to have convinced the midfielder more than its Spanish rival.
According to comments from his agent, Rodri has made his preference to join Barcelona clear, while doing so respectfully towards Real Madrid, which had also been involved in talks regarding a potential move.
For now, therefore, Barcelona is Rodri's preferred destination, although a deal has yet to be officially announced and he has not yet become a Barcelona player.
Barcelona Have Already Made an Offer to Manchester City
Another major development has emerged after Barcelona submitted its first offer to Manchester City.
According to The Guardian, Barcelona has put forward an offer of around £38.5 million (€45 million) for Rodri. However, Manchester City rejected the proposal and is demanding at least £60 million before allowing the midfielder to leave.
Meanwhile, other reports indicate that Barcelona is prepared to continue negotiations and improve its offer in an attempt to reach an agreement with City.
This means the major question is no longer whether Rodri wants to join Barcelona, but rather how much Manchester City will accept for his transfer.
Why Does Barcelona Want Rodri?
Barcelona has been monitoring Rodri as a key solution in midfield, particularly amid the injury problems affecting Frenkie de Jong.
Rodri appears to be an ideal option because of his vast experience, his ability to control games from the defensive midfield position, and his experience competing at the highest level.
Furthermore, he already knows a large part of Barcelona's squad, having played alongside several Barça players for the Spanish national team.
City Under Pressure to Make a Decision
Manchester City does not appear willing to sell Rodri for a low fee.
The midfielder still has a contract until June 2027, but he has yet to agree to a new deal despite City offering him an extension to remain at the Etihad.
This leaves City facing a difficult decision: keep Rodri for another season or sell him now and secure a significant transfer fee before his contract enters its final year.
For Barcelona, negotiations are ongoing, with the Catalan club hopeful of reaching an agreement.
