Barcelona have reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign Spanish World Cup winner Rodri, a club source confirmed on Sunday.
The 30-year-old midfielder is set to move for a package worth around €76.5 million ($87 million), with an official announcement expected in the coming days, according to the source.
Rodri’s future became one of the summer’s most closely watched sagas after Spain’s World Cup triumph in July, when he was initially linked with a move to Real Madrid. Talks with Real Madrid ultimately broke down, however, and Barcelona moved decisively to secure the former Atletico Madrid star, who has been central to Manchester City’s dominance since arriving at the club in 2019.
Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, battled injuries over the past two seasons but returned to top form this summer, playing a key role as Spain lifted their second World Cup title and earning the tournament’s Best Player award in the process.
Barcelona’s push for a new midfield anchor gained urgency after Dutch international Frenkie de Jong was ruled out for several months with injury, leaving a gap that accelerated the club’s pursuit of Rodri.
The deal came together after two earlier Barcelona bids were turned down by City. A third offer over the weekend, with a total package worth €76.5 million, was finally accepted, with the two clubs exchanging paperwork to finalize the agreement on Sunday. Rodri is expected to arrive in Barcelona within days and could be unveiled before Wednesday’s Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al Ahly at Spotify Camp Nou.
He joins Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu among the club’s new arrivals this summer, with a move for Joao Cancelo — returning to Barcelona as a free agent following his loan spell at Al Hilal — also expected to be finalized soon.
As Spain’s captain, Rodri was instrumental under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, helping the club to the 2023 Champions League title and four Premier League crowns among 12 major trophies during his time at the Etihad. Barcelona view the signing as a statement addition to Hansi Flick’s squad, back-to-back Spanish champions, as they push for further success domestically and in Europe.
