Barcelona exploring deal for Manchester City midfielder Rodri amid Real Madrid interest

By Sanjay Menon — 6 August 2026 — 3 min read

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is reportedly facing a significant decision regarding his future, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both showing interest in acquiring the player. Rodri is in the final year of his contract with City and has not yet agreed to new terms.

Real Madrid has maintained a long-standing interest in the 30-year-old midfielder. More recently, Barcelona has also entered the pursuit for his signature, according to some reports. However, sources within Barcelona have reportedly distanced themselves from such discussions.

Interest from Spanish Giants

Barcelona is actively exploring a deal to sign Rodri, with talks reportedly held between the club and the player’s representatives regarding potential deal conditions. The prospect of joining Barcelona is understood to appeal to Rodri, particularly due to the club’s footballing style and the potential to reunite with several Spanish national team members from the World Cup winning squad, including Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri.

Real Madrid has also been working on a deal for Rodri, operating under the assumption that an agreement could be reached for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue for Madrid, but negotiations with Manchester City regarding a transfer fee are still pending. Madrid remains interested in the Spain international, despite Barcelona’s reported pursuit.

Rodri previously expressed a desire to return to his home country and play in La Liga again during his career. He also highlighted the appeal of representing Madrid. A move to Barcelona would allow him to join the title winners for the past two seasons.

Rodri’s Impact and Potential Replacements

Rodri has been a crucial player for Manchester City since joining in 2019. He has contributed to four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the Champions League in 2023, where he scored the winning goal in the final. He has made 298 appearances for City, scoring 28 goals and providing 32 assists.

He missed a significant portion of the 2024-25 campaign due to a serious knee injury and experienced disruptions last season from a hamstring issue. However, he returned to form at the World Cup, where he was named player of the tournament. Rodri is currently recovering from back surgery and has not yet rejoined his teammates for City’s pre-season tour.

Should Rodri depart, City would face a challenge in filling his role. The club has already seen Bernardo Silva join Real Madrid this summer. Potential replacements within the squad include Mateo Kovacic, Nico Gonzalez, and Tijjani Reijnders, all of whom have featured in pre-season. Additionally, City is in talks to sign 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille.

Barcelona’s Financial Considerations

Barcelona’s pursuit of Rodri comes as fellow midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to be out for an extended period due to a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. This injury could keep him out for up to four months, potentially requiring surgery.

To facilitate a deal for Rodri, Barcelona would likely need to sell players to create financial flexibility. The club’s financial position is expected to improve with their return to Camp Nou and the departure of players like Robert Lewandowski, which has freed up significant wages. However, the ongoing redevelopment of Camp Nou will impact the club’s budget for the 2027-2028 season, as they will need to temporarily relocate and plan to increase their loan for the rebuild.

The tactical fit at Barcelona for Rodri appears strong, given the similarities between Hansi Flick’s team and Pep Guardiola’s City in terms of playing style. Barcelona’s structure could offer a protective environment for Rodri in the midfield, allowing him to dictate play and protect the defense, similar to his role at City.

Rodri’s contract situation means he could either sign a new deal with City, play out the final months of his current contract and become a free agent next summer, or consider a return to Spain.

Source: bbc.com