Multiple reports: Barcelona agree fee with Manchester City for Rodri - How can City replace him?

Rodri is heading back to Spain as Manchester City have agreed a fee with Barcelona, according to multiple reports. David Ornstein , Fabrizio Romano and ESPN , among others, are reporting that City have agreed a $88.5 million fee. Rodri only has one year left on his contract, so this represents a great deal for City. The Spanish midfielder, who captained Spain to World Cup glory in July, has had a legendary career at City and won the Ballon d’Or in 2024. Rodri also scored the winner in the UEFA Champions League final in 2023 and has won everything at City and will go down as a legend of the club. His ACL injury in 2024 was a huge blow, but his long road to recovery was capped off by his sensational displays for Spain at the World Cup this summer, especially in the final against Argentina. And that has led to this move to Barcelona. How can City replace Rodri? Rodri is impossible to replace and even though City have paid big to sign Elliot Anderson and are said to be signing Ayyoub Bouaddi too, this is a big blow for Enzo Maresca. With John Stones and Bernardo Silva also leaving this summer, City have now lost a lot of experienced players after Pep Guardiola’s departure. They will still be up there but losing Rodri is a huge hit as he covered up so many cracks and he was crucial to the balance of the team. Rodri is one of the greatest holding midfielders in history and he is irreplaceable.