Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri is close to joining FC Barcelona, according to Spanish media reports, days after he won the World Cup with Spain and received FIFA's Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
Real Madrid had been linked with Rodri, but his agent, Pablo Barquero, told Cadena SER that the player turned down a move to Real despite appreciating the offer. Barquero said talks between Real and Rodri began just days after Spain's World Cup victory, but Barcelona has since emerged as the favorite to sign him.
Catalan newspaper Sport reported that Barcelona had offered around 45 million euros for Rodri, while City wanted roughly 30 to 35 million more. Sport said Rodri had already agreed personal terms with Barcelona for four seasons, with only City's approval of Barcelona's latest offer still needed. The outlet added that Rodri believed his Premier League spell had ended and that it was time to return to Spain, describing him as a true professional highly valued internally at City.
Deal possible within 48 hours
Spanish journalists reported that Barcelona's first offer had not fully satisfied City, which wanted a minimum profit from the sale to comply with financial fair play rules after its other transfers this summer. While some English media suggested City had demanded 80 million euros, reports said the deal could actually be finalized for around 65 million euros, combining a fixed fee and variable add-ons.
According to Spanish reports, Barcelona was aiming to reach an agreement by Wednesday so Rodri could join Spain's other national team players, with the clubs negotiating final details to sign the contract the following Wednesday. Rodri had already ended his vacation in Ibiza and was available to Barcelona once City allowed him to undergo a medical, with relations between the two clubs described as good after several previous transfers between them.
