Rodri looks increasingly likely to leave the Etihad this summer, with Barcelona now in direct club-to-club talks with City over a deal.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are “very confident” of getting an agreement done and have opened with an offer of just over €45m, though City are pushing for a higher fee in the ongoing negotiations.
Rodri has already given the Catalan club the green light to negotiate, with sources close to the player indicating his style would suit Hansi Flick’s system.
The move represents a hijack of what looked like an advanced Real Madrid deal.
Madrid had been negotiating with Rodri’s camp for weeks and were considered the priority destination, but City were reluctant to proceed with the transfer while other clubs remained interested, and the delay appears to have given Barcelona their opening.
Rodri has one year left on his contract at the Etihad, putting City under pressure to sell now rather than risk losing their captain for nothing next summer.
He underwent minor back surgery in late July, which has raised questions over his readiness for the start of the season regardless of which club he ends up at.
City have already been active in the midfield market this summer, with reports suggesting as many as three further arrivals are being lined up to help fill the gap Rodri’s departure would leave.
You can follow every City arrival and departure on our live transfer tracker.
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