Rodri completes Barcelona move as Man City pursue replacement

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Rodri from Manchester City in a deal worth \u00a365.4m. <p>The Spain World Cup winner and former Ballon d'Or winner, who helped City win four Premier League titles and a Champions League crown, has signed a four-year contract with the LaLiga club.</p><p>Rodri, 30, had one year left on his City contract and, while they wanted him to stay and sign an extension, Barcelona's third offer proved to be too good to turn down.</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/TransfersSkySportsApp">Transfer Centre LIVE!</a> | <a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/ManCityblogarticles">Man City news & transfers</a>\ud83d\udd35</strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/manchester-city-scores-fixtures">Man City fixtures & scores</a></strong></li><li><strong>Got Sky? <a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchPremarticles">Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone</a>\ud83d\udcf1</strong></li><li><strong>Not got Sky? <a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink">Latest Sky Sports deals</a> or <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports/football/premier-league?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink">stream PL games with no contract</a>\ud83d\udcfa</strong></li></ul><p>Barcelona had bids of \u00a340m and \u00a355m rejected by City before the deal was eventually agreed.</p><p>Enzo Maresca's side are pursuing replacements for both Rodri and <strong>Tijjani Reijnders</strong>, who is set to join Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah for around \u00a351m.</p><widget id="2"></widget><p>City remain interested in Chelsea's <strong>Enzo Fernandez</strong>, despite missing the deadline to launch a bid by 5pm on August 14, and are also in talks with Lille over a deal for Morocco international <strong>Ayyoub Bouaddi</strong>.</p><p>Lille are understood to be looking for around \u00a385m to sell Bouaddi and talks between the clubs were confirmed by their head coach Davide Ancelotti at the weekend.</p><h3>How big a loss will Rodri be for City?</h3> <widget id="3"></widget><p>City's record without Rodri in the starting line-up since his arrival from Atletico Madrid ahead of the 2019/20 season offers a worrying insight into life minus him in the midfield.</p><p>In the 87 games when he was absent from the starting line-up, they suffered 20 defeats, just one fewer than their tally of losses across the 179 games with him starting. In fact, the rate at which they suffered defeats doubled without him starting.</p> <widget id="4"></widget><p>The win percentage without him dropped to 62.1 per cent from 71.5 per cent, while goals scored decreased and goals conceded increased.</p><p>City are simply not the same team without Rodri featuring and the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield was the latest example of this.</p><h3>IN FULL: Rodri pens City farewell to fans</h3><p>Rodri has penned a farewell letter to Man City fans after his departure to Barcelona was confirmed.</p><p>"Dear City fans, I found that saying goodbye is one of the most difficult things in life but I am going to try," it said, on the club's official website.</p><p>"It's hard to find the words to express how much gratitude, love and support me and my family have experienced all these years.</p><p>"I remember how I felt when I arrived, signing for the big Manchester City. It was a moment of pure excitement - 'wow I am going to play with Kevin, Aguero, Silva, Bernardo, John and many others.' I couldn't stop smiling.</p> <widget id="6"></widget><p>"And then Pep, waiting to teach me everything from day one. Pep I can tell you now, I couldn't handle all those tactics in my head.</p><p>"But a question came to me, 'could we handle all these expectations for the next years.' I think that time answered the question.</p><p>"I knew I came into a top team but I never thought we could be able to create the legacy we made winning trophies, fans around the world, love and respect. We made an example to inspire the next generations not only because the success, also because the way we did it. And the fans were with us every step of the way.</p><p>"Many incredible moments come to my mind.</p><p>"My first trophy at City, in my first game.</p><p>"The last minute winners, like Arsenal away.</p><p>"Scoring in the Villa game to reach the Premier League, when it looked so tough.</p><p>"Scoring the goal to win the Champions League that we all wanted so much.</p><p>"The incredible reception you gave me after the Balon d'Or. You cannot imagine how proud I am to be the first player to win this award in a sky blue shirt.</p><p>"Making history, with the Treble, with Four in a Row. We saw things they'll never see.</p><p>"And in the bad moments, also, you never let me down. My first day back on the pitch I realised how much you love me and I understood how special these fans were.</p><p>"City didn't just make me a grow as a player. They made me grow as a human.</p><p>"I saw my brother graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University.</p><p>"I could see my girlfriend working for the NHS.</p><p>"Manchester shaped my whole life.</p><p>"I will never forget stepping onto the pitch, seeing a sea of blue sing 'nah, nah, nah, nah\u2026CITY', taking my scooter into town for a coffee, walking through the parks listening to Oasis and always loving Manchester's great rain.</p><p>"So City fans, it's time to say goodbye, thanks to the club, the fans, the staff and my teammates. This journey couldn't be the same without you, my heart will always be Blue."</p> <widget id="1"></widget>