RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 4 sourcesRodri captained Spain to a second FIFA World Cup title this summer -Credit:Brad Smith/ISI Photos, ISI Photos via Getty Images
Barcelona have entered the race to sign Spain captain Rodri this summer as Manchester City fight to retain their prized asset. Real Madrid had already launched their pursuit of the FIFA World Cup winner, and now their bitter rivals have joined the chase.
Rodri is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad and has resisted every attempt by City to tie down his future at the club. Contract extension offers remain unsigned, and there have been no moves to quash speculation that he could make a return to La Liga.
His displays at the World Cup, which earned him the Golden Ball, have thrust him firmly into Ballon d'Or contention once again and prompted Spain's elite clubs to push hard for his signature, as per the Manchester Evening News .
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-Credit:Brad Smith/ISI Photos, ISI Photos via Getty Images
Rodri is still anticipated to report back to City ahead of the new campaign, and the club will demand a substantial offer befitting his standing in global soccer should they be forced to sell — though they must remain alert to that possibility given the considerable interest surrounding him.
City have already secured Elliot Anderson for a club-record £116 million ($155.18 million) this summer from Nottingham Forest and are additionally working to finalize a deal for Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi. The French club had been hoping to retain him for one more season and will not allow the Moroccan teenager to leave on the cheap.
Nevertheless, considering the age profile of those two players and the fact that City have already lost Bernardo Silva, whether or not City can retain Rodri will likely have a significant bearing on their title aspirations.
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The Blues came agonizingly close to overtaking Arsenal in the closing weeks of last season but ultimately fell short, with the 30-year-old absent for key matches during the run-in.
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