RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Barcelona ready to return with €60 million bid for Rodri after opening offer rejected
Barcelona have stepped up their pursuit of Rodri with a significantly improved proposal for the Manchester City midfielder, giving the Catalan club renewed hope of getting one of their biggest summer targets.
According to an update from Paul Joyce in The Times , Barcelona’s second formal offer is worth €60 million fixed plus bonuses.
The new proposal comes after City rejected the club’s initial bid and marks a clear attempt from Barça to bridge the gap in negotiations.
Notably, Barcelona do not want the Rodri transfer to drag deep into the summer, with the club hoping to reach an agreement soon enough for the Spain captain to join his new teammates and begin working under Hansi Flick.
For now, Manchester City have not agreed to the deal, but the new offer shows that Barcelona are prepared to move closer to the English club’s valuation.
Barcelona raise their offer for Rodri
Barcelona will return with a second offer for Rodri. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Barcelona’s first proposal was worth €45 million , but Manchester City were not prepared to accept a figure that fell well short of their expectations.
City’s position had been that Rodri would not be allowed to leave for a relatively modest fee, despite the midfielder having only one year remaining on his contract.
Reports from England had put their asking price at around €80 million , which left Barcelona with a difficult negotiation.
Rather than walking away, the Catalan club will now return with €60 million guaranteed, while adding bonuses to the package.
The structure of the new offer is designed to bring the overall value closer to Manchester City’s demands without forcing Barça to pay the full asking price up front.
Rodri’s situation gives Barcelona confidence
Barcelona’s first bid for Rodri was rejected by Man City. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
One of the biggest factors working in Barcelona’s favour is Rodri’s contract situation.
The Spain international has just one year left on his Manchester City deal and, according to the reports surrounding the negotiations, has shown no desire to extend it.
That changes the equation for City, who still have every reason to protect the value of one of their most important players, but allowing Rodri to enter the final year of his contract without an extension could leave them with a much bigger problem later.
Notably, this is where Barcelona are attempting to take advantage.
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