Barcelona join Real Madrid in pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri

Barcelona and Real Madrid are competing to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, with Barcelona opening preliminary talks over a move to Camp Nou, according to The Athletic in reports published on 2026-08-06. The Athletic says Barcelona have begun conversations with the player’s agents to discuss the financial and sporting terms of a potential transfer.

Barcelona’s approach comes as the 30-year-old Rodri would be reunited at club level with eight of his Spain team-mates from the recent World Cup, among them Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Gavi. The club has initiated these agent-level discussions to assess how a deal could be structured financially and from a sporting perspective.

For months Real Madrid appeared to be the primary destination, and the Athletic reports that Los Blancos have been negotiating a contract with Rodri behind the scenes, believing personal issues would not be a barrier for the former Atletico Madrid player. That sustained interest made Madrid the apparent frontrunner until recent developments.

The failure of an official agreement between the clubs has given Joan Laporta and Barcelona an opening to press their case, while City officials are reportedly aware of interest from both Spanish sides and have taken steps to slow down discussions with Madrid. The Athletic also states Rodri has been in negotiations with Real Madrid for weeks.

Barcelona’s urgency to sign a defensive midfielder is linked to Frenkie de Jong’s absence; De Jong is out for an extended period after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, leaving the club without an established world-class pivot. With only 12 months remaining on his Etihad contract, Rodri is viewed by Barcelona as the player to fill that role and the lure of LaLiga "remains the last chapter he wants to write," according to the report.

The Athletic adds that Barcelona’s pursuit would require the sale of key assets to balance the books, and that both clubs are effectively going head to head for a player described as a Ballon d’Or winner. Manchester City are asking for at least €60 million for Rodri, the report states.

The immediate decision now rests with Rodri: reports say he will choose between the two suitors, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid prepared to pay similar transfer fees to Manchester City as discussions continue.