Barcelona are preparing to make another major push for Rodri after Manchester City rejected their second offer, with a new €70 million package potentially bringing one of the summer’s biggest transfers closer to a conclusion.
Barcelona are preparing a third and potentially decisive offer worth around €70 million for Rodri as the Catalan giants attempt to finally break Manchester City’s resistance and complete one of the biggest transfers of the summer.
Manchester City have already rejected two Barcelona approaches for the Spain midfielder, including an improved second proposal worth around €60 million. But Barça have no intention of walking away and are now expected to return with an even larger package.
According to Cadena SER, Barcelona are preparing an offer in the region of €70 million, with SER Catalunya reporting the proposed structure as approximately €60 million guaranteed plus €10 million in variables.
Crucially, however, there is not yet confirmation from a leading source that the third offer has formally been submitted.
For now, Barcelona are preparing their next move.
But after weeks of negotiations, the Rodri saga appears to be entering its most decisive phase yet.
Manchester City reject Barcelona’s second Rodri offer
Barcelona’s latest move came after Manchester City rejected their second attempt to sign the 30-year-old.
Sky Sports reports that City turned down a proposal worth approximately £55 million, having previously rejected an opening Barcelona offer in the region of £40 million. Barça remain determined to complete the transfer and have been considering how far they are prepared to increase their bid.
The Guardian places the second offer at approximately €60 million (£51 million), following an initial proposal of around €45 million. City are believed to want approximately £60 million to £65 million before agreeing to sell.
While the precise figures vary slightly between reports, the overall picture is clear:
Barcelona improved their offer significantly.
Manchester City rejected it.
And Barça are now preparing to go higher again.
Barcelona preparing €60m plus €10m package
The next proposal could finally bring the clubs much closer together.
Cadena SER reports that Barcelona understand they will need to approach the €70 million mark if they want Manchester City to authorize Rodri’s departure. SER Catalunya subsequently reported that Barça are confident a package consisting of €60 million fixed plus €10 million in variables could be sufficient to complete the deal.
That would represent another major increase from Barcelona’s opening attempt.
And it could potentially place the Catalan club close enough to City’s valuation for serious negotiations over the final structure of the transfer.
There is still an important distinction to maintain, however.
Barcelona are reported to be preparing the €70 million package — it has not yet been confirmed as formally submitted or accepted.
There is no completed agreement, no medical examination and no official announcement from either club.
Rodri reportedly wants Barcelona
Barcelona’s strongest negotiating advantage remains the position of the player himself.
The Guardian reports that Rodri has expressed a preference for joining Barcelona, a factor that has significantly influenced Manchester City’s approach to the situation.
City are therefore balancing two competing realities.
Rodri remains one of the most important midfielders in world football and replacing him would be extremely difficult.
But if the player wants the transfer and Barcelona eventually meet City’s valuation, keeping him against his preference may not represent the ideal long-term solution.
The Guardian goes as far as reporting that City accept a Barcelona move is increasingly difficult to avoid if the financial terms are eventually agreed.
That represents a significant change from the beginning of the saga.
The question is increasingly becoming less about whether City would ever sell Rodri and more about how much Barcelona must pay to make them do it.
Barcelona reportedly believe Rodri could arrive as early as Monday
The level of optimism in Barcelona is perhaps best illustrated by another remarkable claim emerging from Spain.
Cadena SER journalist Nil Solá reported that Barça believe Rodri could potentially be in Barcelona as early as Monday if negotiations progress according to plan.
That should not be interpreted as confirmation that a transfer is already scheduled.
It is an indication of Barcelona’s confidence rather than an official timetable agreed between the clubs.
But it nevertheless suggests Barça believe the gap separating them from Manchester City is now manageable.
Rodri is expected to report back in Manchester as preparations for the new season continue, meaning Barcelona may also be motivated to resolve the situation quickly rather than allow the uncertainty to stretch deep into the transfer window. Cadena SER reported that the midfielder was due back with City on Friday.
Manchester City already preparing for life without Rodri
City’s activity elsewhere in the transfer market also provides important context.
The Premier League club have identified Chelsea captain Enzo Fernández as a possible replacement should Rodri leave for Barcelona. Chelsea have placed a £120 million valuation on the Argentina midfielder and imposed a Friday deadline for serious suitors to act.
City have also agreed a deal worth around €60 million with Al-Qadsiah for Tijjani Reijnders, according to The Guardian, potentially creating additional financial flexibility during a major midfield restructuring.
Neither development proves Rodri will leave.
But City clearly have contingency plans available if Barcelona eventually produce an acceptable offer.
That creates the possibility of one of the biggest transfer dominoes of the summer:
Rodri → Barcelona
Enzo Fernández → Manchester City
At present, neither move is complete.
But the first could have an enormous influence on the second.
Why Barcelona are refusing to give up on Rodri
Barcelona’s persistence demonstrates just how highly they value the midfielder.
Rodri would provide an elite controlling presence at the base of midfield, combining defensive positioning, physical strength and the ability to dictate possession under pressure.
His experience in both Spanish and English football would also reduce many of the adaptation risks associated with a major international transfer.
Barcelona already possess enormous technical quality in midfield, but Rodri would give Hansi Flick a specialist capable of controlling the rhythm of matches from deeper areas.
That is why Barça have continued negotiating even after two rejected bids.
The first offer tested City’s position.
The second demonstrated Barcelona were prepared to spend significantly more.
The third could reveal whether this transfer can actually be completed.
The price gap is finally narrowing
When Barcelona began negotiations, the clubs appeared far apart.
The opening offer was approximately €45 million according to The Guardian and was quickly rejected.
Barça then moved closer to €60 million, only for City to reject that proposal as well.
Now Barcelona are preparing to approach €70 million in total value.
That progression matters.
It shows that negotiations have not collapsed after each rejection.
Instead, Barcelona have continued moving closer to the level Manchester City want.
If the proposed €70 million package is formally submitted, discussions may increasingly focus on the structure of payments, guaranteed money and achievable bonuses rather than a fundamental disagreement over Rodri’s valuation.
Could this be Barcelona’s final Rodri bid?
There is growing expectation in Spain that the next offer could be decisive.
SER Catalunya describes Barcelona as confident that a third proposal worth around €70 million could be sufficient, following the rejection of the €60 million package.
Whether Barça would go substantially beyond that figure if City reject them again remains unclear.
At some point, Barcelona will have to decide how much financial flexibility they are prepared to sacrifice for a 30-year-old midfielder, regardless of his quality.
Manchester City face a similar calculation.
Keeping Rodri provides sporting certainty.
Selling him at an attractive price allows City to reinvest in a new midfield under Enzo Maresca.
The next bid could therefore provide both clubs with the moment of decision they have been approaching throughout the summer.
Where the Rodri to Barcelona transfer stands now
As of Friday morning, August 14, the situation can be summarized clearly.
Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s second offer for Rodri.
Barcelona are preparing a third proposal worth around €70 million, reportedly structured at approximately €60 million plus €10 million in variables.
Rodri reportedly prefers a move to Barcelona.
Manchester City are believed to want approximately £60 million to £65 million.
Barcelona are reportedly optimistic enough to believe Rodri could potentially arrive early next week if an agreement is reached.
But the €70 million bid has not yet been reliably confirmed as formally submitted, and there is no completed transfer agreement.
That final point is crucial.
Rodri is not yet a Barcelona player.
Manchester City have not officially accepted an offer.
But after two rejected bids, Barcelona appear ready to make their biggest move yet.
The gap between the clubs is narrowing.
The player reportedly wants the transfer.
And Barça now believe they know the number required to test Manchester City’s resolve one final time.
The next €70 million move could decide the entire Rodri saga.
