Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s opening £38.5 million bid for Rodri, with the Premier League champions insisting they will only consider offers exceeding £60 million for the Spanish midfielder.
Rodri, 30, has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium without agreeing to an extension, fuelling speculation over his future.
Barcelona submitted their first formal bid on Friday after receiving encouragement from the player’s representatives to begin negotiations, but City immediately rejected the proposal.
Although the Premier League champions are open to discussing a transfer, they value the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner significantly higher than Barcelona’s initial offer.
Rodri had previously been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but reports suggest the Spanish giants have ended their pursuit, leaving Barcelona as the leading contender for his signature. Talks between the Catalan club and the player’s camp are continuing, though no agreement has been reached between the clubs.
The midfielder has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, including a serious knee problem that sidelined him for much of the 2024–25 campaign and a hamstring setback during his recovery. However, he returned to top form at the FIFA World Cup, helping Spain win the title and claiming the tournament’s Best Player award.
Rodri is currently recovering from back surgery and is expected to resume rehabilitation with Manchester City next week.
City are eager to resolve his future before the transfer window progresses further and have already identified potential replacements. Among them is 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, although the French club’s reported £86 million valuation remains a stumbling block.
Meanwhile, Spanish reports claim Real Madrid made a serious attempt to sign Rodri following Spain’s World Cup triumph. However, the midfielder opted against the move, prompting the Spanish giants to end negotiations.
Barcelona now remain at the forefront of the race as City weigh the future of one of their most influential players.
