Rodri’s Manchester City future is in doubt (Nick Potts/PA)
Rodri’s Manchester City future is in doubt (Nick Potts/PA)
Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s £38.5million opening bid for key man Rodri, the Press Association understands.
The 30-year-old only has a season remaining on his deal at the Etihad Stadium and has been strongly linked with a return to Spain.
Real Madrid had hoped to sign Rodri but Barca have moved ahead in the race for his signature, although their opening bid in the region of €45million (£38.5m) was rejected out of hand by City.
Enzo Maresca’s side are understood to instead want around 80m euros (£68.5m) for a player who last month not only won the World Cup but was named player of the tournament.
Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, playing a part in four Premier League title triumphs and the 2023 Champions League victory during a success-laden period under former boss Pep Guardiola.
The midfielder won Euro 2024 and that year’s Ballon d’Or, only for a serious knee injury to rule him out of much of the 2024-25 campaign.
Rodri managed 33 appearances in all competitions last term before heading to the World Cup with Spain.