Barcelona are set to complete one of the biggest transfers of the summer after reaching an agreement with Manchester City for Rodri. The 30-year-old midfielder has already arrived in Catalonia and is due to undergo his medical before signing a four-year contract. For Barça, this is the signing of one of the world's best midfielders; for City, it marks the end of a seven-year spell in which Rodri won 12 major trophies and scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final.
The final transfer package is worth up to €76.5 million. According to Spanish reports, Barcelona will pay €60 million guaranteed plus €16.5 million in bonuses, with €11 million of those add-ons considered relatively easy to achieve. City had previously rejected Barça's opening offer of around €45 million and another improved proposal before accepting the third bid. Rodri's contract situation helped the Catalans: he had only one year remaining on his City deal and had made it clear that he wanted to return to Spain. City originally paid Atlético Madrid £62.8 million for him in 2019.
Rodri will sign with Barcelona for four seasons, until 2030. His salary has not been officially disclosed, but Spanish media report an agreement worth approximately €15 million net per year, potentially making the entire operation worth more than €200 million once wages, taxes, bonuses and commissions are included. Barça are therefore making an enormous investment in a player who turns 31 next summer, although his status and importance hardly need explaining: Rodri won the Ballon d'Or in 2024 and was one of the central figures of Manchester City's most successful era.
There was also a battle with Real Madrid behind the scenes. Madrid had been seriously interested in Rodri, but the midfielder ultimately chose Barcelona. Reports in Spain claim that Barça's sporting project played a major role in his decision, while Hansi Flick personally spoke to Rodri about his plans for the team. The presence of several Spain teammates at Barça and Rodri's preference for their style of football also reportedly influenced him. His representatives had informed Madrid of his decision before the transfer was completed, effectively ending any possibility of a late hijack.
The only major concern is Rodri's fitness. His final seasons in Manchester were disrupted by an ACL injury and subsequent muscular problems, while he also underwent minor back surgery after the World Cup. He had only recently returned to City training and missed their 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal. Barcelona are nevertheless convinced enough to make him one of the most expensive investments of their current project. If everything goes according to plan with his medical and paperwork, the club hope to officially present Rodri this week, potentially around the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Published by Patrick Jane
17.08.2026