Man City reject Barcelona opening £38.5 million bid for Rodri

Manchester City rejected an opening £38.5 million ($52 million) bid from Barcelona for Rodri, reports published from London on August 08, 2026 at 01:42 am IST said.

The 30-year-old has just one season remaining on his deal at the Etihad Stadium. He has been strongly linked with a return to his native Spain and Manchester City are understood to want about £68 million for the midfielder.

Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019. He won multiple Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League under former boss Pep Guardiola.

He won Euro 2024 and that year's Ballon d'Or. A serious knee injury ruled him out of much of the 2024/25 campaign, and he was named player of the tournament at the recent World Cup in North America.

Real Madrid had appeared likely to be Rodri's next club.

La Liga rivals Barcelona now seem to be in pole position to sign Rodri.