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SportsMoney FC Barcelona Makes Contact With Manchester City And Rodri, Reports Romano By Tom Sanderson ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tom Sanderson has been primarily based in Barcelona since 2019. Follow Author Aug 06, 2026, 05:17am EDT Aug 06, 2026, 06:49am EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary FC Barcelona has reportedly entered the transfer race for Manchester City's Rodri, contacting both the club and the player's representatives. This move comes as Real Madrid's long-standing negotiations for the Spain captain are described as "practically broken." Fabrizio Romano confirms the final decision rests with Rodri, with both Spanish giants prepared to offer similar transfer fees. While City initially sought $86.5 million, reports suggest Rodri's asking price has dropped to $75 million, making him more accessible for Barcelona, after Real Madrid's $58 million offer was deemed insufficient. Despite Barcelona's midfield depth, Rodri's quality and synergy with international teammates would significantly bolster Hansi Flick's squad. Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is expected to counter Barcelona's bid to avoid losing a key target to their rivals.
FC Barcelona has made contact with Manchester City and Rodri 's camp as per a potential transfer of the Spain captain according to Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic.
“Barcelona have made contact with Rodri’s camp and also with Manchester City about a possible move,” Romano tweeted on X.
“Real Madrid have been in talks with City for weeks but MCFC didn’t accept to proceed immediately as it felt more clubs were joining the race. It’s up to the player,” he added.
Then in a separate tweet, Romano added: "The decision will be completely up to Rodri, as Real Madrid and Barcelona are both ready to pay a similar transfer fee to City.
“Rodri has been in negotiations with Real Madrid for weeks as priority, but Barcelona positioned themselves as well while Madrid deal isn’t done yet.”
Over at The Athletic, their FC Barcelona and Real Madrid correspondents Pol Ballus and Mario Cartegena explain that the Catalans are exploring a deal to sign the Manchester City midfielder.
Sources close to the negotiations say that Barça has already held talks with the player’s camp over how a potential deal would look.
That’s what Catalan newspaper SPORT reported earlier on Thursday morning, before The Athletic and Romano published their own breakdowns.
The main sticking point is Real Madrid’s failure to offer something that entices both City and the player, whose contract expires at the Etihad on June 30, 2027.
Last weekend saw reports that the Mancunians see Rodri’s asking price as $86.5 million (€75 million). Madrid only wants to shell out $58 million (€50 million), however, and perhaps make up the rest in add-ons.
SPORT says that Rodri’s asking price has now dropped to a smaller $75 million (€65 million), which is affordable for the Blaugrana.
What must be noted is that there’ll be a short window to get something over the line. There’s no way that Real Madrid President Florentino Perez will tolerate losing a Galactico to his club’s sworn enemy, so expect him to come in with an improved offer in no time.
As already discussed, FC Barcelona doesn’t necessarily need another defensive midfielder - despite Frenkie de Jong’s injury - as it is well-stacked in that area of the pitch. It’s Madrid that does, with a lack of quality in the center of the park since Toni Kroos and Luka Modric moved on a key factor in two trophyless seasons while Barça picked up five out of the six domestic titles on offer.
But this is Rodri, who would gel instantly with international teammates he’s just won the World Cup with - Pau Cubarsi , Pedri and Lamine Yamal to name a few- while giving FC Barcelona plus manager Hansi Flick even more control of the ball to potentially extend domestic dominance.
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