Barcelona agree £65m deal for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri

Barcelona have reached a preliminary agreement with Manchester City to sign Spain midfielder Rodri in a deal that could be worth more than €76.5m, despite the 30-year-old entering the final year of his contract.

The proposed transfer would bring an end to the future of the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner at Manchester City, with Rodri understood to have welcomed the prospect of moving to Camp Nou.

Barcelona began exploring a deal for the midfielder after learning he was open to joining the Catalan club. Real Madrid had also considered signing him, but personal terms are not expected to prevent an agreement with Barcelona.

The Spanish international has been offered a four-year contract and is thought to favour Barcelona over the other options available to him.

Barcelona made an initial offer of about €45m plus add-ons on 7 August. That proposal followed indications that Manchester City wanted to receive approximately €80m before agreeing to sell Rodri.

According to The Athletic: “Manchester City will receive an initial fee of €60m, along with additional incentives and bonuses that could take the total value of the deal beyond €76.5m, despite the player entering the final months of his contract with the English club.”

Rodri has not shown a desire to extend his Manchester City contract, prompting the Premier League club to consider making a financial return from his departure during the current transfer window.

If the move goes through, Rodri will return to Spanish football after a highly successful spell in England. He would also join seven members of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad at Barcelona: Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Pedri and Lamine Yamal.

Rodri was a key figure for Spain during their World Cup campaign and was named the tournament’s best player, underlining his status as one of the world’s leading midfielders.

Barcelona’s interest comes as the club faces a prolonged absence for Frenkie de Jong, who suffered a tear to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

Manager Hansi Flick hopes Rodri’s arrival would add greater strength and balance to his midfield. The former Atletico Madrid player is valued for his ability to dictate play, win possession and control the tempo of matches.

Manchester City have already started preparing for changes in midfield. In July, they signed England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m.

The club are also pursuing Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Morocco international who attracted attention with his performances at the World Cup.

Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has since won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League.

He scored the winning goal in Manchester City’s 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, securing the club’s first European title.

Rodri has made 298 appearances for Manchester City, scoring 28 goals and providing 32 assists. His spell at the club now appears to be approaching its conclusion, with a move to Barcelona increasingly close.