Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, a deal that will see the 30‑year‑old move for $89 million after two earlier offers fell short. Sources confirmed on Sunday that both clubs have finalised the paperwork, and the Spanish champions expect the player to arrive in the city within days. If everything goes as planned, Rodri could be unveiled before Wednesday’s Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al Ahly at Spotify Camp Nou.
The transfer follows a flurry of activity in Barcelona’s summer window. Fullback Joao Cancelo is also set to re‑join the club as a free agent, making Rodri and Cancelo the fourth and fifth signings of the season, alongside Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu. With the departure of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona remain active in the market for a striker, targeting Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.
Rodri was not an initial priority target for Barcelona entering the summer, but the club moved swiftly once he became available after Spain’s World Cup triumph. An injury to Frenkie de Jong had already pushed the club to seek midfield reinforcements, and Rodri’s profile made him a natural fit. Real Madrid also pursued the midfielder, but sources say he preferred a move to Barcelona over a return to familiar Spanish rivals.
The City side was willing to sell, given that Rodri had just one year left on his contract. Barcelona view the midfielder as a marquee addition capable of elevating Hansi Flick’s squad, which has already won back‑to‑back domestic titles. Since joining City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has amassed four Premier League titles, a Champions League, the European Championship and World Cup with Spain, and earned player‑of‑the‑tournament honours at both international competitions. His Euro 2024 performance helped him win that year’s Ballon d’Or.
The move signals Barcelona’s ambition to reclaim the top spot in La Liga and challenge Real Madrid once again. With Rodri’s defensive midfield prowess and work rate, the club will have a new engine to support its attacking trio. Fans and pundits alike are keen to see how the Spaniard will adapt to Hansi Flick’s tactical setup and whether his presence will spark a new era of success for the Camp Nou giants.
