Rodri to Barcelona talks enter final phase, reports say

Barcelona are moving closer to a deal for Rodri, with journalist Matteo Moretto reporting that negotiations with Manchester City have entered their final phase. According to those claims, the Catalan club want to wrap up the agreement in the coming hours for a fee worth more than €70 million, including fixed and variable elements.

Talks with Manchester City reach decisive stage

The latest update suggests a long-running transfer story may finally be nearing its conclusion. Rodri, Spain’s World Cup-winning captain and one of the defining midfielders of his generation, is now being strongly linked with a return to his homeland after his years in England.

Moretto’s information points to advanced discussions between Barcelona and Manchester City, with the Spanish champions-elect hopeful of getting the deal over the line quickly. While the move has not yet been officially completed, the reporting indicates that the process is now at a decisive moment.

Why Rodri remains such a prized target

Rodri’s standing has only grown after an outstanding World Cup, where he was named the tournament’s best player and received the Golden Ball. As Spain’s captain, he also had the honour of lifting the World Cup trophy after the final.

His influence on the national team has been widely recognised. Sport.pl’s tournament selection included Rodri in its best XI, highlighting his control, composure and ability to dictate the rhythm of Spain’s play. He has long been viewed as the player who gives structure and calm to Luis de la Fuente’s side, both in possession and when protecting the team against transitions.

The source material also notes that Rodri had previously dealt with significant health problems, making his recent level all the more notable.

Barcelona move ahead of Real Madrid

In the immediate aftermath of the World Cup, it had appeared more likely that Rodri would return to Spain with Real Madrid. Media reports had repeatedly linked the midfielder with the Bernabeu, but that interest did not develop quickly enough.

Barcelona have since stepped in, and the player himself is also said to be interested in joining the club. That shift has changed the direction of the saga, with Barca now presented as the side best placed to secure his signature.

Rodri’s record and pedigree

Rodri would arrive with elite-level experience in both Spain and England. Before joining Manchester City, he played for Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, and he has gone on to make 298 appearances for City, scoring 28 goals.

Among those goals, one stands above the rest: his strike in Istanbul in 2023, which gave Manchester City victory over Inter in the Champions League final.

• Barcelona and Manchester City are reported to be in the final phase of negotiations.
• The proposed fee is said to be above €70 million, including add-ons.
• Rodri is a former Villarreal and Atletico Madrid player.
• He has made 298 appearances and scored 28 goals for Manchester City.

For now, the deal remains at the reporting stage rather than the official one. But if the latest information proves accurate, Barcelona may be on the verge of landing one of the most influential midfielders in world football.