Manchester City and Barcelona agree £65.4m deal for Rodri

Manchester City have agreed a £65.4m deal to sell Spain midfielder Rodri to Barcelona, bringing an end to the 30-year-old’s seven-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.

Rodri is expected to travel to Barcelona to complete the transfer after agreeing personal terms on a four-year contract.

The move follows three offers from the Catalan club, with Barcelona’s initial proposal of about £40m rejected before a second bid worth £55m was also turned down.

City had hoped to keep the midfielder and persuade him to sign a contract extension, but with only one year remaining on his existing deal, Barcelona’s improved offer proved too difficult to reject.

Rodri leaves Manchester City as one of the most influential players in the club’s modern history.

Signed from Atletico Madrid in 2019, he quickly established himself as the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s midfield, combining positional intelligence, composure and passing ability with an exceptional understanding of the game.

His greatest achievement at club level came in the 2022/23 season, when he played a central role in City’s historic treble.

Rodri scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul, securing City’s first European title.

During his time in Manchester, he won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and several domestic honours.

His individual performances were recognised in 2024 when he won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Manchester City player to receive football’s most prestigious individual award.

Rodri’s international career has been equally impressive.

Born in Madrid in 1996, he progressed through Spain’s youth system before making his senior debut in 2018.

He became an important part of the national team and helped Spain win Euro 2024, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

He also played a key role in Spain’s World Cup triumph, adding another major international honour to an already decorated career.

Manager Enzo Maresca has already acknowledged the midfielder’s importance, saying every team needs a player of Rodri's quality.

City are now considering alternatives, with Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez among their reported targets.

They have already spent a British-record £116m on Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest this summer.

Meanwhile, City have agreed to sell Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah for around £51m.