Manchester City turn down Barcelona’s £38.5m opening offer for Rodri as negotiations continue
Manchester City rejected Barcelona’s opening bid of £38.5m (€45m) for Rodri on 7 August 2026, saying they want at least £60m as talks over the Spain international’s future continued between the clubs. The offer was described as an opening approach from Barcelona and negotiations are ongoing.
Barcelona have emerged as Rodri’s preferred destination after talks with Real Madrid broke down, and it is understood the 30-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Spanish champions after indicating that he would like to return to his homeland following the departure of Pep Guardiola. Rodri is in the final year of his City contract; he moved to the Etihad in 2019 from Atlético Madrid and has turned down the offer of a lucrative extension.
City are believed to be adamant that Rodri will not be allowed to leave for less than their asking price of at least £60m, prompting Barcelona to continue their pursuit in the hope of reaching a compromise. Barcelona have targeted Rodri as a replacement for Frenkie de Jong, who will be out for several months after sustaining a knee injury.
Rodri, who won the Golden Ball awarded to the World Cup’s best player last month, spoke to Barça’s manager, Hansi Flick, and sporting director, Deco, about a potential move on Wednesday. He has had minor surgery on his back and will miss most of City’s pre-season programme.
Manchester City have already made additions as they prepare for the season, signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m, and they remain in negotiations with Lille over Ayyoub Bouaddi, who could cost up to £80m. The club could be tempted to recruit a more experienced replacement for Rodri should he depart, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández among those thought to be under consideration.
The Argentinian is also wanted by Real, whose manager, José Mourinho is said to have not taken the news of being gazumped by their great rivals well. Real have already brought in the winger Yan Diomande for £115m and signed Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espí, and may have to balance the books by selling either Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga if they want to pursue Fernández.
Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu after a successful trial period; the former Arsenal defender has been training with Palace during pre-season and has earned an initial 12-month deal with the option of extending that by another two years. Tomiyasu becomes new manager Pierre Sage’s second signing of the summer after the arrival of Óscar Mingueza, and Palace are expected to complete a deal for the USA youth international Zavier Gozo from Real Salt Lake in MLS.
Barcelona are continuing negotiations in the hope of reaching a compromise over Rodri’s transfer.