Barcelona agree £65.4m deal to sign Rodri from Man City

Barcelona have agreed a deal worth £65.4m with Manchester City for Rodri, with the Spain international now set to complete a move after seven seasons in Manchester.

Barcelona land Rodri after third bid

City had wanted the 30-year-old to remain at the club and sign a new contract, but Barcelona's third offer was accepted. Rodri had entered the final year of his existing deal and has agreed a four-year contract with the Spanish club.

Barcelona's pursuit gathered pace after two earlier offers were turned down. An opening proposal of around £40m was rejected, and a second bid of £55m also failed before the clubs reached an agreement at £65.4m.

Rodri leaves City as a World Cup winner with Spain and a former Ballon d'Or holder. During his time at the club, he helped City win four Premier League titles as well as the Champions League.

City's midfield rebuild already under way

Central midfield has been a major focus for City this summer, and Rodri's departure adds further significance to that work. The club broke the British transfer record to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m.

City are also interested in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez and Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. However, they missed Chelsea's Friday 5pm deadline to submit a £120m bid for Fernandez.

There is movement in the other direction too, with City having agreed a deal to sell Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah for a fee of around £51m.

Maresca points to need for quick business

City boss Enzo Maresca recently underlined Rodri's standing when he said every team needs a player like him. Rodri was absent from the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal after only returning to the training ground on Friday following minor back surgery after the World Cup.

Maresca has also made clear that City would benefit from concluding incoming deals quickly, with the Premier League season approaching. Speaking about Bouaddi, he stressed that any new signing would be better placed to adapt if they arrived as soon as possible and began learning the team's way of playing immediately.

• Rodri is set to join Barcelona from Manchester City for £65.4m.
• The 30-year-old has agreed a four-year deal.
• City signed Elliot Anderson for £116m this summer.
• They are interested in Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
• City have also agreed to sell Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah.