Barcelona are set to welcome Spain’s captain, Rodri, after reportedly striking a £65 million deal with Manchester City.
The 30-year-old midfield maestro, fresh off his 2024 Ballon d’Or triumph, is poised to ink a four-year deal with the Spanish champions, with the move expected to be sealed soon.
Rodri bids farewell to Manchester City after seven glittering seasons at the Etihad. Arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then club-record £62.8 million, he became a mainstay with 298 appearances.
His final year was marred by injuries. A serious knee setback sidelined Rodri for most of the 2024-25 season. A troublesome hamstring further limited his impact last year. He returned to his best on the international stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, captaining Spain to their second world title and earning the Player of the Tournament award.
Rodri leaves City with a glittering haul of 12 major trophies, among them four Premier League crowns, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups, and the coveted 2022-23 UEFA Champions League.
Manchester City stood firm last week, turning down Barcelona’s initial £38.5 million bid, even as Rodri approached the final year of his contract at the Etihad.
At first, Real Madrid seemed destined to land the midfielder, but Barcelona ramped up their pursuit and have now surged ahead of their La Liga rivals to clinch his signature.
Speaking after City’s defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, new manager Enzo Maresca praised Rodri’s quality and acknowledged the importance of a player of his caliber.
“Rodri is a player who just won the World Cup and Ballon d’Or,” Maresca said.
“He’s a top player; all the teams need a Rodri, so it’s not about if we miss Rodri or not.”
This move closes a trophy-filled chapter in English football for Rodri, as he readies himself to return home and embark on a new adventure with Barcelona.
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