RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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SportsMoney Manchester City Freezes Rodri Real Madrid Talks For Barcelona To Enter Race, Reports SPORT By Tom Sanderson ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tom Sanderson has been primarily based in Barcelona since 2019. Follow Author Aug 04, 2026, 05:37am EDT Aug 04, 2026, 06:48am EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary Manchester City is reportedly convinced FC Barcelona will enter the race for Rodri, potentially scuppering Real Madrid's pursuit of the Ballon d'Or winner. Fabrizio Romano and SPORT cite sources indicating City has frozen talks with Madrid over the 30-year-old midfielder, whose contract expires in 2027. Radio Catalunya and Cadena SER also report Barcelona's keen interest in the player, named Best Player at the recent World Cup won by Spain. Though Rodri has always favored Real Madrid, City believes his ultimate decision will determine Barcelona's chances. The Catalans are closely monitoring his future, hoping to secure the highly-rated talent.
Manchester City is convinced that FC Barcelona will enter the race to sign Rodri and potentially scupper eternal rival Real Madrid's pursuit of the Ballon d'Or winner.
This has been reported by transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano , as well as SPORT , both citing anonymous sources.
Radio Catalunya has already explained how Barça is interested in Rodri, while Cadena SER revealed the Catalans are “very attentive” to his future.
At the moment, that’s determined by whether the Best Player at the recent World Cup won by his country Spain renews a contract which expires on June 30, 2027 at the Etihad or returns home to the Spanish capital by agreeing to join Real Madrid.
According to Romano, however, City are convinced that Barça will end up entering the bidding war for the 30-year-old.
The Premier League giants have frozen talks with Madrid because of this, and in the end it’ll be Rodri that decides whether Barça has a chance of acquiring him or not.
Rodri has always indicated that Real Madrid is his preferred destination, and Barça also sees Rodri showing an interest in joining them as key for any potential pursuit.
Other clubs are expected to enter the race for Rodri too, who is a favorite for a second Ballon d’Or win alongside his Spain teammate and La Masia product Lamine Yamal in Paris later this year.
As reported at the weekend, Madrid wants to pay City just $57.5 million (€50 million) for Rodri when the asking price has been set at $86.3 million (€75 million).
Concerns that Rodri might never return to his Ballon d’Or best were soon stamped out by his performances at the World Cup.
This is a player that remains at the peak of his powers, and while Barça doesn’t have the shortcomings Real Madrid does in midfield following the departures of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, any team would be foolish to turn Rodri down.
What also must be noted are Frenkie de Jong ’s injury problems. Picking up a foot knock at the World Cup, he could now be out for three to six months depending on whether he requires surgery.
Rodri would be the perfect partner for Pedri under Hansi Flick at FC Barcelona while offering increased control. Meanwhile, the likes of Marc Bernal would learn from the best in the trade ahead of perhaps succeeding him for club and country.
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