Manchester City have turned down Barcelona’s first proposal for Rodri, with the Spanish midfielder’s future at the Etihad looking increasingly doubtful as he enters the last year of his contract.
Barcelona are believed to have submitted a bid of around £40 million for the Ballon d’Or winner, but City are holding out for a fee in excess of £60 million before they would entertain any transfer. In the meantime, the club is making progress on a deal for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and is also looking into a potential move for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
City reject Barcelona’s opening offer for Rodri
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City have declined Barcelona’s initial offer of roughly £40 million for Rodri. The Premier League side is reportedly seeking more than £60 million to let the 30-year-old leave.
Rodri has under 12 months remaining on his current deal at the Etihad and is not anticipated to put pen to paper on a new contract. Barcelona’s pursuit follows indications that the Spain captain would favour a switch to the Nou Camp over joining Real Madrid.
The midfielder’s contractual predicament has thus given Barcelona a window to push for a transfer, although City’s valuation remains significantly above what the Catalan club has so far offered.
Bouaddi move edges closer for City
As talks over Rodri continue, Manchester City are reportedly nearing a deal for a new defensive midfielder. Fabrizio Romano reports that Enzo Maresca’s side are close to finalising an agreement with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The 18-year-old impressed for Morocco at the World Cup and is expected to command a fee in the region of £80 million. Despite the significant outlay, City do not see Bouaddi as a like-for-like stand-in for Rodri.
The prospective signing would nonetheless add depth to the midfield ranks available to Maresca as the club weighs up adjustments in that part of the squad.
City also weighing up Enzo Fernandez swoop
Manchester City are additionally said to be weighing another midfield target in the shape of Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
The Independent reports that City are looking into a possible deal for the Argentine, with Maresca reportedly eager to work again with a player he previously coached.
Interest in Fernandez comes alongside the chase for Bouaddi, leaving City with two possible midfield targets while Rodri’s situation remains unresolved.
Rodri’s City future still up in the air
Rodri’s position is made more complex by the fact that his contract is now within its final year and he is not expected to commit to a new deal at the Etihad.
Barcelona have already made their initial move, but City’s refusal indicates that the bid falls well short of the asking price needed to force a sale.
With the club also working on midfield reinforcements and checking on a possible Fernandez transfer, the weeks ahead could be pivotal for Rodri’s future at Manchester City.