Mourinho says he spoke with Rodri before midfielder completed move from Manchester City to Barcelona

On 2026-08-19, Jose Mourinho said he had spoken with Rodri prior to the midfielder finalising his transfer from Manchester City to Barcelona. Mourinho suggested those discussions affected Real Madrid’s pursuit of the 30-year-old.

Rodri has completed a move to Barcelona on a four-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030 after leaving Manchester City. Before the transfer gained traction, the midfielder was strongly linked with Real Madrid and the club’s interest prompted Mourinho to contact him. Mourinho is the new Real Madrid manager and discussed the contact in an interview with El Chiringuito TV.

Asked about his conversations with Rodri, Mourinho said: "Did I speak to Rodri? Yes, a couple of times. Real Madrid made him a generous offer. Rodri had doubts. His doubts created doubts in me,". In the same interview Mourinho said that, while he respected Rodri as a player, he began to wonder whether the midfielder was fully committed to moving to the Santiago Bernabéu.

Barcelona’s deal for the 30-year-old is reported to carry a likely total cost of €76.5 million. That figure is broken down in the reports as €60 million considered assured, with €11.5 million made up of readily achievable variables and a remaining €5 million subject to more severe requirements. The club completed what the reporting described as one of their most significant transactions of the summer window.

Rodri has previously said he received approaches from several prominent teams before deciding his future. The Spanish international stated that he thoroughly studied the sporting prospects offered to him and discussed the choice with those closest to him before completing the move.

Barcelona paid around €76.5 million, including add-ons, to secure the former Manchester City midfielder.