Rodri has already won the Ballon d’or and when you are named the best player of the World Cup and top the lists in this year’s Ballon d’or award, you can rightly call Manchester City star Rodri the world’s best footballer.
The recent World Cup winner has wanted a return to Spain for quite some time, and when it was time for extension talks with Manchester City, it started a thought process that could send him “home” in a few days.
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Rodri has decided: Now it’s Barcelona – Real Madrid must give way
Now the midfield general has made the choice. According to several Spanish sources, Rodri has given his verbal yes to Barcelona – after negotiations with Real Madrid got completely bogged down.
And the transition can take place within hours, it is reported.
“He said yes this morning
It is Gerard Romero, known from Jijantes, who reports that everything is now in place:
“I can exclusively confirm that Rodri will be a new Barcelona player. The midfielder gave his final approval this morning, and will become the club’s newest signing in the coming hours. He turned down Real Madrid – he didn’t want to wait any longer. Now it’s time for Barcelona.
For Real Madrid, the situation has been characterized by stagnation. The club has tried to reach an agreement with Manchester City on the transfer fee, but the parties have not been able to meet.
In comes Hansi Flick. The new Barca coach has already been in direct contact with Rodri, and has convinced the Spaniard that Camp Nou is the right place – despite Real Madrid’s interest.
One of Tottenham’s biggest stars has changed his mind – extends!
Price battle: City want 80 million – Barcelona bid lower
According to RMC Sport, City are hoping to get between €80 million and €85 million for Rodri. But Barcelona want to land on a sum between 60 and 70 million euros. – We are reasonably sure the parties will agree. In any case, the signals from Camp Nou are that they are not intimidated by the demand for Manchester City.
With only one year left on his contract, City are not in as strong a position as they would like. Still, Rodri is the world’s best midfielder – and the World Cup king with Spain still has the highest market value.
Rumours, injuries and a crucial summer
Rodri has had a special year. In September 2024, he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for much of the season – only 17 league starts. But he came back in great form, won the World Cup with Spain, became the tournament’s best player – and has now made one of his most important career choices.
Last week, he underwent surgery for a back injury, and is now staying in Ibiza to recover. Enzo Maresca, City’s manager, has previously stated that he has not had any talks with Rodri about his future:
“It’s just speculation at the moment. Rodri underwent surgery last Monday – everything went well. Now he needs a vacation. We have not had conversations. Our focus is on Rodri as a player, not on transfer talk.
When Maresca was asked about the importance of keeping Rodri, he replied bluntly:
“Every manager in the world wants Rodri. He’s a top player. It’s important for me, the club and everyone around.
“La Liga is where I started”
Already in March, Rodri admitted that he dreams of returning to Spain.
“I would like to go back, yes. La Liga is where I started, and I still follow it,” he told Onda Cero at the time.
Now it seems that the dream is becoming reality – but in Barcelona, not in the capital’s white shirt. It will be one of the biggest dramas of the summer.
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