Manchester City Accept £65.4m Barcelona Bid for Rodri, Reports Say

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 — Manchester City have reportedly accepted Barcelona’s bid for Rodri, moving the Spanish midfielder closer to a return to La Liga after seven highly successful seasons in the Premier League.

According to reports cited by Reuters, Barcelona’s offer is worth approximately £65.4 million ($88.47 million), while Rodri has agreed terms on a four-year contract with the reigning Spanish champions. The deal is expected to move towards completion in the coming days.

Spanish reports have similarly described an agreement in principle between the clubs, with the final administrative steps and formal documentation still required before the transfer can be officially completed.

As of the latest reports, neither Manchester City nor Barcelona has issued a formal first-team announcement confirming Rodri as a Barcelona player, meaning the move should still be regarded as agreed but awaiting official completion.

Barcelona had been pursuing Rodri throughout the summer transfer window but initially struggled to meet Manchester City’s valuation.

The Guardian reported on August 13 that City had rejected a second Barcelona proposal worth around €60 million (£51 million) and were holding out for a package closer to £60 million to £65 million.

The latest offer appears to have met those demands.

Reports in Spain indicate that the agreement could contain a substantial guaranteed payment plus performance-related variables, although different outlets have reported slightly different structures for the package.

Rodri, meanwhile, is reported to have been receptive to returning to Spain and joining Barcelona, removing one of the biggest potential obstacles to completing the transfer.

If completed, the move will end one of the most successful spells by a midfielder in Manchester City history.

Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then-club-record fee of £62.8 million and developed into one of the most influential players in European football.

Reuters reports that the Spaniard has made 298 appearances for Manchester City while collecting 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the UEFA Champions League.

His defining moment at club level came in the 2023 Champions League final, when he scored the winning goal against Inter Milan to complete Manchester City’s historic treble.

Rodri’s performances for both club and country later earned him the 2024 Ballon d’Or, cementing his status among the world’s leading midfielders.

Rodri’s reputation grew even further during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he helped Spain secure the trophy and was named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner. Manchester City highlighted the achievement after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final.

The triumph added to an international résumé that already included Spain’s victory at Euro 2024.

His ability to dictate possession, protect the defence and control the tempo of matches has made him a central figure for both Manchester City and Spain, which explains Barcelona’s determination to bring him back to Spanish football.

Rodri’s Manchester City contract was entering its final year, increasing the possibility that the Premier League club would have to make a major decision this summer rather than risk seeing his transfer value fall further.

Reuters reported that City had hoped to convince Rodri to extend his contract, but an agreement had not been reached.

That contract situation appears to have strengthened Barcelona’s negotiating position despite Rodri’s status as one of football’s elite midfielders.

The reported £65.4 million agreement would still allow City to recover a fee close to what they originally paid Atletico Madrid seven years ago.

Rodri was absent from Manchester City’s recent 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, having only recently returned to training following minor back surgery.

The midfielder has endured injury problems in recent seasons, but those issues have apparently not prevented Barcelona from pushing ahead with the transfer.

Spanish reports suggest he is expected to undergo the necessary medical examinations before signing his contract and being formally presented by Barcelona.

For Barcelona, signing Rodri would provide an experienced defensive midfielder capable of playing alongside the club’s younger technical stars.

A midfield featuring Rodri alongside players such as Pedri, Gavi and Dani Olmo would give Barcelona additional control, physical presence and leadership as the club targets domestic and European trophies.

The move would also bring Rodri back to La Liga, where he previously represented Villarreal and Atletico Madrid before moving to England.

Barcelona are expected to finalise the remaining steps before formally confirming the transfer.

Until then, the deal remains a reported agreement rather than an officially completed signing, but Manchester City’s acceptance of Barcelona’s latest offer places one of the summer’s biggest transfers on the verge of completion.