Rodri set for Barcelona move as Manchester City begin midfield rebuild

Barcelona have agreed a deal worth about £65m to sign Rodri from Manchester City, with the Spain captain expected to complete a four-year contract in the coming days.

The 30-year-old is set to return to La Liga after seven hugely successful seasons at the Etihad Stadium. Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then club-record £62.8m and went on to make 298 appearances.

His departure would mark the end of an era. Rodri helped City win 12 major trophies, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League in 2023, when he scored the winning goal against Inter Milan.

He also established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders, winning the Ballon d’Or in 2024 and leading Spain to World Cup success this summer, where he was named player of the tournament.

Barcelona get their man

Barcelona’s first offer of £38.5m was rejected by City last week, but the Spanish champions returned with an improved package that has now been accepted.

Real Madrid had previously been considered the most likely destination for Rodri, but Barcelona moved quickly in recent days to take control of the race. With Rodri entering the final year of his City contract, the Premier League club have decided to accept a substantial fee rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

New City manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged Rodri’s elite status after the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.

“Rodri is a player who just won the World Cup and Ballon d’Or,” Maresca said. “He’s a top player. All the teams need a Rodri.”

City eye Bouaddi

Manchester City are expected to move for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as they search for a long-term replacement.

The 18-year-old Morocco international has been on City’s radar throughout the summer and is believed to be open to a move. Lille are likely to demand around £85m for a player who has already made 30 Ligue 1 appearances and impressed at the World Cup.

Bouaddi is seen as a deep-lying midfielder capable of controlling possession and dictating play, making him the closest stylistic fit to Rodri. He could form part of a new City midfield alongside £116m signing Elliot Anderson, whose strengths are more box-to-box.

Other midfield options

City are also monitoring several alternatives. Their interest in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez remains alive, despite no bid being submitted before Chelsea’s £120m deadline last Friday.

Maresca knows Fernandez well from their time together at Chelsea, where he relied heavily on the Argentine and even used him as captain in Reece James’ absence. Fernandez can operate as a holding midfielder or further forward, having scored a career-best 15 goals last season.

Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister are also under consideration. Scott offers energy, ball-carrying and duel-winning ability, while Mac Allister would bring Premier League experience and the composure of a title-winning midfielder.

A major transition

Replacing Rodri will be difficult enough, but City are also adjusting to life without Bernardo Silva after his summer departure. Alongside Pep Guardiola’s exit and Maresca’s arrival, the club are facing one of their biggest rebuilds in years.

Rodri leaves Manchester as one of City’s most important modern players. Barcelona are signing a world-class leader at the peak of his powers; City must now find a way to replace not only his quality on the ball, but also the control, calmness and authority he brought to every big game.