Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is hoping to be able to count on Rodri in his squad but Barcelona have other ideas
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 05: Rico Lewis of Manchester City sign his autograph after the preseason friendly match between Manchester City and Team K League at Seoul World Cup Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 05: Rico Lewis of Manchester City sign his autograph after the preseason friendly match between Manchester City and Team K League at Seoul World Cup Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
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Rico Lewis said that Rodri's situation will not change Manchester City as they start a new chapter under Enzo Maresca. The Blues want to keep their star midfielder but will accept a sale if he wants to leave rather than force him to stay for the final year of his deal at the Etihad.
Real Madrid were encouraged enough that Rodri wanted a move to accommodate him in their transfer plans, and now Barcelona are favourites to sign him. They had a bid of around £40m rejected this week but are expected to return with another offer; City are holding out for more than £60m if they are to let him go.
City are still obviously looking to keep hold of Rodri but the players cannot affect the decision that he or the clubs involved choose to make. As difficult as it would be for the Blues to lose him, Lewis is confident the bigger picture will not be affected.
"Everyone in this room and everyone in the world knows how good Rodri is but it’s football," said Lewis. "People leave, people stay, and I don’t think it changes the landscape of anything the manager wants to do here. Everyone knows how good the manager is and it shows with his accolades."
City are progressing in a deal to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi in a transfer that could cost them more than £80m, and the club are also intent on replacing any players who do leave. With Rodri's situation and Tijjani Reijnders also subject to strong interest, that could mean another three midfielders for Maresca this month.