Report: New £51.4m bid made for Man City midfielder

Report: New £51.4m bid made for Man City midfielder Barcelona Step Up Rodri Pursuit as Manchester City Talks Accelerate Barcelona are pushing to conclude a deal for Rodri quickly, with negotiations advancing after a fresh proposal was lodged and Manchester City showing greater flexibility over valuation. According to SPORT.ES , the Catalan club are determined to avoid a drawn-out saga and believe all parties would benefit from finding resolution sooner rather than later. There is a clear sense of urgency around the Rodri transfer. Barcelona’s sporting department are understood to view the Manchester City midfielder as a priority addition and want the operation completed without unnecessary delay. The player’s willingness and the broad alignment between the clubs appear to have created momentum, although there remains meaningful work to do before any agreement can be formalised. Rodri transfer fee moves closer The most important outstanding issue is the financial package. City had initially been seeking around €80 million, which in sterling converts to roughly £69 million, but their stance has softened in recent days. Reports emerging from England suggest the Premier League club may now be prepared to sanction Rodri’s departure if Barcelona move close to €70 million, about £60 million. Photo IMAGO That would represent a significant shift from the early stages of the talks, when Barcelona’s opening offer of €45 million fixed plus €10 million in variables, about £39 million and £9 million respectively, fell well short of expectations. Even so, there was little surprise on either side that the first bid would not be enough. It served more as a starting point in a negotiation that both clubs expected to develop through further exchanges. Manchester City talks remain active Contact between Barcelona and Manchester City is ongoing, with discussions centred on refining the structure of a potential package and closing the gap between valuation and offer. Those close to the process have indicated the talks are progressing in a positive direction, while also acknowledging that the two sides are still apart on the finer details. Barcelona’s latest move is said to be worth €60 million, around £52 million, marking a substantial increase on their initial proposal. The exact balance between guaranteed fee and performance-related payments has not yet been finalised, which remains one of the key points in the negotiation. That detail could prove decisive given City’s preference for certainty and Barcelona’s long-standing need to manage cash flow carefully. What appears evident is that Barcelona want to avoid another protracted transfer story dominating their summer. Internally, there is confidence that this improved offer can lead to compromise, with optimism still present that the remaining details can be ironed out in time for Rodri to arrive as a marquee addition for Hansi Flick’s 2026-27 squad. Barcelona confidence grows over Rodri From City’s perspective, any sale of Rodri would be a major decision. He has been central to their midfield balance and tactical control, so even with greater openness to negotiation, this is not a straightforward exit. For Barcelona, meanwhile, the attraction is obvious. They see elite-level experience, authority in possession and a player capable of elevating the side immediately. For now, the expectation is that negotiations will continue at pace. There is no indication yet of a completed breakthrough, but there is encouragement on both sides that common ground can be found. The next phase will likely come down to whether Barcelona can edge closer to City’s revised asking price and whether the structure of the deal satisfies all concerned. Our View From a worried Manchester City supporter’s point of view, this is the kind of report that instantly raises alarm. Rodri has been so important to everything City have done well over recent years that even the idea of him leaving feels deeply unsettling. Midfield control, defensive protection, composure in the biggest moments, he has provided all of it. Replacing that profile is never simple, even for a club with huge resources. If Barcelona really are moving this aggressively, then City fans will want reassurance that the club are only engaging because they already have a serious succession plan in place. Selling a player of Rodri’s calibre for around £60 million would bring in a major fee, but supporters will naturally question whether the sporting cost could be much higher than the financial reward. There is also the broader concern about timing. If this drags on too long, City risk losing one of their most influential players without enough time to secure the ideal replacement. That is why many fans would probably prefer a swift resolution either way. Keep Rodri and shut the noise down, or sell only if the club are absolutely convinced the next move strengthens the squad in the long term. Right now, the idea of seeing Rodri in Barcelona colours is one that would make many City supporters distinctly uneasy.