Rodri is actively lobbying Manchester City's hierarchy to let him leave for Barcelona this summer, according to ONE, which reports the Spain midfielder wants the Catalan club to come back to the table with one final, decisive offer.
City knocked back Barcelona's second proposal of €60 million plus €10 million in bonuses, insisting on a fee closer to €80 million for the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner. ONE reports Barcelona are now preparing to return with a last bid worth €65 million guaranteed plus a further €10 million in add-ons, roughly half of which is considered easily attainable.
Rodri has only one year left on his current City contract, a factor Barcelona believe strengthens their negotiating position and could yet force City's hand rather than risk losing him for a reduced fee in twelve months.
Part of City's reluctance, per ONE, is tied to their own business: the club wants proceeds from a Rodri sale to help fund a move for Chelsea's Enzo Fernández, who is being lined up as his eventual replacement in midfield.
The player himself has made his preference clear to the City boardroom, telling them he wants Barcelona and nowhere else. ONE reports he has already turned down a significantly richer financial offer from Real Madrid to keep the Camp Nou move alive — a version of events also carried by Haaretz, which reported Rodri favours Barcelona "over Real Madrid" despite Los Blancos' interest.
The saga has run for weeks and the numbers have shifted steadily. Sky Sports reported City rejecting an initial Barcelona bid as "far too low," while Forbes, citing the Spanish outlet SPORT, described City rejecting a fresh offer even after Rodri had personally agreed terms with Barcelona — underlining how far apart the two boardrooms remain even as the player pushes to get it done.
Rodri, 30, has been one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation since arriving in the Premier League from Atlético Madrid in 2019, winning the Champions League and Ballon d'Or with City in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and lifting Euro 2024 with Spain, whom he captains.
No agreement has been reached between the clubs, and ONE's report makes clear City have yet to move off their asking price. Barcelona's camp, however, believes the gap can be bridged with the improved offer once it is formally tabled.
