Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign Spanish midfielder Rodri, in a move that could see one of the most influential midfielders of his generation return to La Liga.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Sunday that Manchester City had accepted Barcelona’s latest proposal for the 30-year-old, bringing an end to negotiations between the two clubs.
The deal is reportedly worth around €70m, with Rodri expected to travel to Barcelona in the coming days for his medical examination and other formalities before signing his contract.
Barcelona sporting director Deco is understood to have played a key role in completing the negotiations after the Catalan club improved its offer for the midfielder.
Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and went on to become a central figure in Pep Guardiola’s dominant side.
During his seven years at the Etihad, the midfielder made more than 250 appearances for City across all competitions, scoring important goals while providing control, defensive stability and composure in midfield.
His influence was particularly evident during City’s historic 2022/23 treble-winning campaign. Rodri scored the only goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, earning the Player of the Match award as City lifted the trophy for the first time.
Beyond his defensive duties, Rodri developed into a midfielder capable of dictating the tempo of games, progressing the ball, winning possession and contributing at crucial moments in attack.
His consistency at club level was rewarded with the 2024 Ballon d’Or, making him the first Manchester City player to win the prestigious individual award.
Rodri has also been a key figure for Spain. He helped La Roja win the 2023 UEFA Nations League and played a major role in their Euro 2024 triumph, where he was named the tournament’s best player.
His contribution to Spain continued at the 2026 World Cup, where his experience and midfield control remained an important part of the national team’s campaign.
A return to Spain with Barcelona would therefore represent more than just another major transfer. It would bring an experienced, trophy-laden midfielder back to Spanish football and give Barcelona a player capable of providing leadership, defensive protection and control in the middle of the pitch.
If completed, Rodri’s arrival would rank among Barcelona’s biggest moves of the summer and could significantly strengthen the club’s midfield ahead of the new season.
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