Barcelona step up Rodri move as City weigh Fernández

Barcelona have increased their efforts to sign Rodri, submitting an improved offer of around €60m (£51m) to Manchester City as the Premier League club assess potential replacements.

Barcelona move closer to City’s valuation

The latest proposal follows an earlier Barcelona bid of €45m, which was rejected by City. The new offer, which could include add-ons, is understood to be much closer to City’s asking price for the Spain midfielder.

Rodri, now 30, remains a high-profile figure after captaining Spain to the World Cup and winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or. With the player having indicated that Barcelona is his preferred destination, the prospect of a departure appears to be gathering momentum.

Fernández emerges as a City target

City are looking at Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández as a possible answer if Rodri leaves. Any deal, however, would be complicated by Chelsea’s valuation of about £120m, a figure that may prove difficult for City to meet outright.

Chelsea are said to be holding firm on that price, meaning any eventual agreement could depend on add-ons. Fernández would bring proven pedigree, having won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, and his arrival would offer City experience, leadership and a more combative edge in midfield.

Chelsea’s stance and the wider midfield picture

Fernández is also Chelsea’s captain, underlining his importance at Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca is understood to be a strong admirer after working with him for a season and a half at Chelsea before that spell ended in January.

The 25-year-old played a major role in a campaign in which Maresca’s side finished fourth, won the Europa Conference in 2024-25 and lifted the Fifa Club World Cup last summer. Those achievements help explain why Chelsea are reluctant to lower their demands.

If City do press ahead for Fernández, there could be movement in the other direction within their midfield group, with Tijjani Reijnders mentioned as a possible departure.

City already active in the market

Manchester City have already moved decisively in the market, bringing in Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m and moving close to the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for around £85m.

Elsewhere, Chelsea are thought to have asked about Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as a possible replacement should Fernández leave. Much now depends on whether Barcelona can complete a deal for Rodri and whether City decide Chelsea’s price for Fernández is one they are prepared to pursue.