Rodri gives Barcelona green light as Manchester City midfielder reportedly prefers Camp Nou move

Reports from Spanish and Catalan media say Manchester City midfielder Rodri has given Barcelona permission to begin efforts to sign him, dealing a major blow to Real Madrid’s hopes of securing the Spain international.

Mundo Deportivo, Sport and Marca have all reported that Rodri favours Barcelona’s sporting project over a move to Real Madrid. Their accounts were also backed by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, creating an unusually broad agreement across the Spanish and Catalan media about the player’s preference.

According to the reports, Rodri is now closer than ever to a move to Camp Nou. Barcelona are understood to have received the player’s approval to start exploring the possibility of bringing him to the club, although the reports presented do not state that a completed transfer has been agreed.

The development represents a significant setback for Real Madrid, who are described as the alternative destination in the emerging transfer picture. While both Spanish clubs have been linked with the midfielder, the reports indicate that Rodri currently considers Barcelona’s sporting plan more attractive.

The story has been presented with a high degree of consistency by several prominent outlets. Mundo Deportivo and Sport, two publications closely associated with Barcelona coverage, both reported that the midfielder had opened the door to a move to Camp Nou. Madrid-based newspaper Marca reached the same conclusion, while Romano separately confirmed the direction of the reports.

That agreement has strengthened the belief that Barcelona have become Rodri’s preferred option. The midfielder’s reported decision to authorise the club to begin moving for him places Barcelona in a stronger position than Real Madrid at this stage of the process.

Rodri is currently a Manchester City player, but the latest reports have placed his future at the centre of growing speculation. The focus is now on whether Barcelona can turn the player’s reported approval into a formal transfer, with the Catalan club’s project apparently holding greater appeal for him than a move to their Spanish rivals.

For Real Madrid, the reports amount to a major blow because they suggest that Rodri’s preference has already become clear before any potential move is concluded. For Barcelona, meanwhile, the reported green light provides an important opening in their attempt to bring the midfielder to Camp Nou.

No further details about the structure or timing of a possible deal have been disclosed in the reports cited. The central claim remains that Rodri has chosen Barcelona’s sporting project and that the club can now begin efforts to sign him, leaving Real Madrid behind in the race.