Spanish champions Barcelona have agreed a £65m transfer fee to sign Manchester City's star midfielder Rodri. The 30-year-old international, who claimed the prestigious Ballon d'Or award in 2024, is set to complete a four-year contract with the Catalan side. The transfer deal is anticipated to be finalized over the coming days, marking a major summer transfer move.
Rodri's Legacy and Achievements at Manchester City
Rodri originally joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then-record club fee of £62.8m. Across seven trophy-filled seasons in England, he made 298 appearances for the club and lifted 12 major trophies. His honors with City include four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups, and the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League title. Although a severe knee injury sidelined him for most of the 2024-25 season and hamstring trouble hampered parts of last season, he returned to peak condition at the World Cup, captaining Spain to their second world title and earning the player of the tournament award.
Manchester City Explore Midfield Replacement Options
With Rodri's departure and Bernardo Silva's loss, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is reshaping the squad's central midfield. City have already added England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest this summer. Furthermore, potential interest in Fernandez continues to generate discussion; a potential £120m deal would rank as the fourth-biggest transfer in football history, though Xabi Alonso's side aims to retain their vice-captain.
Young Talent and Experienced Candidates on City's Radar
City are also tracking 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, valued at around £85m. Bouaddi made 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season and announced himself on the global stage by helping Lille defeat Real Madrid in the 2024 Champions League. Another candidate is 22-year-old England international Alex Scott, who has rejected contract extensions despite being bound until 2028. Additionally, Liverpool's Premier League winner Alexis Mac Allister remains a potential target as he enters the final two years of his Anfield contract.
