Deco denies Barcelona 'snatched' Rodri after August 18 transfer to Camp Nou

Barcelona sporting director Deco said the club did not "snatch" Rodri from Real Madrid after completing the midfielder's transfer to Camp Nou on August 18. The remark followed Barcelona's confirmation of the Spain captain as their new marquee signing.

Barca completed the signing of Rodri from Manchester City on August 18 on a contract running until June 2030, bringing the World Cup 2026 Golden Ball winner to Camp Nou. The 30-year-old made the move as he entered the final season of his existing deal with City, and Barcelona acted quickly to land the midfielder. The club agreed a reported fee of £65.4 million ($88.56 million) and Rodri joined Hansi Flick's squad.

Real Madrid were in the race to sign Rodri immediately after the World Cup and even made an offer, but once Barcelona entered the picture Rodri opted to give them preference. Many observers suggested Barcelona had hijacked the deal; Deco rejected that characterisation, saying "We haven’t snatched him from Madrid," as quoted by Barca Universal.

Rodri joins a midfield that already features Gavi, Pedri, Fermin and Frenkie de Jong, a group Barca decided to reinforce by spending on the Spain captain. Deco acknowledged Rodri had not been in the club’s plans at the outset, adding: "We’re pleased. Before signing him, we talked and discussed it at length." He followed with: "At first it wasn’t part of our plans, but we saw that it was an opportunity. He’ll improve the team considerably."

Deco also addressed speculation over Barcelona’s striker situation after the summer departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, hinting the club will pursue a forward before the transfer window closes. "There’s a lot of speculation, but we’re going to make a move." "We have options within the squad, but we have to keep looking," said Deco.