City have paused talks with Real Madrid over Rodri, according to Fabrizio Romano and SPORT, amid a belief at the club that Barcelona are preparing to enter the race for him.
Real Madrid had opened discussions over a deal worth up to €60m for the World Cup-winning captain, who has one year left on his contract at the Etihad.
SPORT reports that City’s expectation of Barcelona interest has put those talks on hold. Radio Catalunya and Cadena SER have both reported the same Barcelona interest separately, with the latter describing the club as “very attentive” to Rodri’s situation.
Rodri has spoken favourably about Real Madrid in the past. City are said to be waiting to see how that affects his thinking before Barcelona decide whether to move. No agreement is in place with either club.
City are also closing in on a deal for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. Personal terms are already settled, and talks with Lille continue over a fee measured against the £116m City paid for Elliot Anderson last month.
A completed deal for Bouaddi would hand City a long-term midfield replacement, which may explain why they’re willing to let Rodri’s situation play out rather than push to keep him.
Pep Guardiola leaves at the end of the season, and with Rodri entering the final year of his deal, City have only this window and January to sell before running the risk of losing him for nothing.
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