Barcelona are preparing to submit a third proposal for Rodri to Manchester City after their opening €50 million package and subsequent €60 million proposal were both rejected. The two clubs remain in direct negotiations, with discussions now centred on finding a compromise between Barcelona’s latest €60 million offer and City’s reported €80 million valuation. Despite the repeated setbacks, Barça remain confident and optimistic that a deal can eventually be reached.
Rodri would represent a major statement signing for Barcelona. The Spain international has established himself as one of the world’s leading defensive midfielders through his positional intelligence, passing range, physical strength and ability to control matches from deep. His experience with Manchester City and Spain also gives him the profile of a player capable of immediately adding authority to Barcelona’s midfield. In other words, Barça are not repeatedly knocking on City’s door for a player they consider merely useful—they clearly see him as a potential cornerstone.
Rodri Deal Moves Into Third-Bid Territory
The latest development means Rodri remains firmly at the centre of Barcelona’s transfer strategy. The rejection of the €50 million and €60 million packages has not discouraged the Catalan club, who are now preparing another proposal while maintaining direct communication with Manchester City.
The crucial issue is valuation. Barcelona do not appear willing to simply match City’s €80 million demand without negotiation, while City have already demonstrated that they are prepared to reject offers they consider insufficient. The emerging compromise could therefore land somewhere between €60 million and €80 million, although the precise structure of the new package will determine how seriously City consider it.
Barcelona Believe Rodri Agreement Is Possible
For Barcelona, the player’s importance makes the continued pursuit understandable. Rodri’s ability to operate as a deep midfielder and dictate the tempo of matches would suit a possession-oriented team, while his familiarity with Spanish football could make adaptation relatively straightforward.
Manchester City, however, have strong reasons to protect the value of a player of Rodri’s calibre. Any agreement would need to satisfy their sporting and financial considerations, particularly if they are being asked to part with an established midfielder capable of controlling the centre of the pitch. Barcelona’s challenge is therefore not simply to make another offer, but to make one City cannot comfortably reject.
The negotiations now appear to be entering their most important phase. Barça have already shown that they are willing to increase their proposal, while City have made their €80 million position clear. If Barcelona can find the right structure somewhere between the two valuations, the optimism surrounding Rodri could finally turn into an agreement. Until then, the third bid is coming, Manchester City still hold the bargaining power, and Barcelon are apparently treating the word “rejected” as nothing more than a suggestion.
