Rodri touched down in Barcelona on Monday, with his medical scheduled for Tuesday, as the Ballon d’Or winner prepares to complete a move worth up to €76.5m (£65.4m) from Manchester City. The agreement in principle was reported on August 16 by The Athletic, ending weeks of negotiations between the two clubs and a bidding process that began as far back as August 7.
The 30-year-old central midfielder was candid on arrival at El Prat airport, saying: ‘Very happy to arrive. There have been some very intense days, but I’m happy that everything has been resolved. For me it’s a dream to play for Barcelona. I’m excited about being with my teammates, many of them I already know. Now it’s time to get to work and give my best.’
How the deal came together
Barcelona’s pursuit opened on August 6, when The Athletic first reported the club were exploring a move. An initial offer of around €45m arrived on August 7 and was turned down by City. A second bid of around €60m, reported by Sky Sports on August 14, was also rejected. The third and final proposal, worth €76.5m in total, changed the outcome. The structure includes an upfront payment of €60m with more than €11m in add-ons that both clubs view as achievable, leaving City expecting to receive at least €71.5m.
Rodri had entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and had not indicated any willingness to extend it. Real Madrid had also been monitoring him this summer, but Barcelona moved first and followed through with successive bids to secure his signature. The four-year contract he has proposed at the Camp Nou would run well into his mid-thirties.
Six years and a Champions League winner’s medal at City
Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for what was then a club-record £62.8m. Over six seasons he made 298 appearances, scoring 28 goals and providing 32 assists. His most celebrated moment in sky blue came in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan, when he scored the winning goal. He also collected four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and three EFL Cups during that stretch.
The latter part of his City career was disrupted by injury. An ACL problem wiped out most of the 2024-25 season, and hamstring and groin issues limited him to 33 appearances in Pep Guardiola’s final year in charge. He returned to the club on August 15, just days before his departure, following back surgery after Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph. Outgoing manager Enzo Maresca said he gave him a ‘big hug’ on that visit.
Maresca’s verdict and what City lose
Maresca offered a candid assessment after City’s Community Shield defeat on Sunday. ‘Rodri is a player who just won the World Cup and Ballon d’Or,’ he said. ‘He’s a top player, all the teams need a Rodri, so it’s not about if we miss Rodri or not.’ Those words reflect both the regard in which the midfielder is held and the difficulty of replacing someone who won the 2024 Ballon d’Or and the Golden Ball at the 2026 World Cup with Spain.
Rodri captains the Spanish national side and arrives at Barcelona already familiar with much of the squad. Seven of his international teammates from Spain’s World Cup-winning group are at the club, including Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia and Joan Garcia. His arrival also addresses an immediate need in midfield: Frenkie de Jong is out for a lengthy spell with a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
FAQ
How much are Barcelona paying for Rodri?
Barcelona and Manchester City have reached an agreement in principle worth €76.5m (£65.4m). That figure includes an upfront fee of €60m and more than €11m in add-ons that both clubs consider achievable.
How old is Rodri and what position does he play?
Rodri is 30 years old and plays as a central midfielder. He also captains the Spain national team.
What contract will Rodri sign at Barcelona?
Rodri has proposed a four-year contract with Barcelona, according to reports from The Athletic.