Rodri arrives in Barcelona to complete transfer from Manchester City

Rodri arrived in Barcelona on Monday (August 17, 2026) to finalise his transfer from Manchester City and spoke briefly to reporters about the move.

Barcelona agreed a deal worth 76.5 million euros ($88.5 million), a person with knowledge of the transaction confirmed to the Associated Press on Sunday (August 16, 2026); the person spoke on condition of anonymity. Rodri had one year left on his contract at City and his deal with Barcelona reportedly will run until 2030. The 30-year-old is a World Cup-winning captain who received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

“Very happy to arrive. There have been some very intense days, but I'm happy that everything has been resolved,” Rodri told reporters briefly. “For me it's a dream to play for Barcelona. I'm excited about being with my teammates, many of them I already know. Now it's time to get to work and give my best.”

Rodri helped Spain secure its second World Cup title last month and will link up with international teammates Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi and Pedri at Barcelona. He won the Golden Ball as the World Cup's best player.

Hansi Flick's Barcelona, chasing a three-peat in La Liga, has already added England forward Anthony Gordon and faces the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the latter of whom scored the winning goal in extra time in the World Cup final against Argentina. The club is also set to add defender João Cancelo in the next few days.

Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, scored the winning goal in the Champions League final victory over Inter Milan in 2023, and won the Ballon d'Or the following year after being part of Spain's European Championship-winning team. His exit further weakens City's midfield after Bernardo Silva left for Real Madrid this offseason; Rodri did not play on Sunday in City's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield and is recovering from minor back surgery he underwent after the World Cup.

He was expected to undergo a medical on Tuesday as Barcelona and City exchanged documentation to finalise the agreement.