Rodri negotiates with Barcelona as City rebuilds midfield

The twist in Rodri's saga accelerates. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona is now in pole position to negotiate the Spanish midfielder's signing with Manchester City, after the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner gave his green light to the Blaugrana project. As we reported, the Catalan club already has permission to sit down at the table with the English side.

The context is key: City faces the post-Guardiola era with Enzo Maresca in charge, and the club's summer moves reflect a profound structural shift. The English outfit has already signed Elliot Anderson (23) from Nottingham Forest for €135 million, a record fee for the 'citizens', while also chasing young Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi (18) from Lille. With 30 years old and one season left on his contract, Rodri appears set on not leading that new chapter. Meanwhile, City is also eyeing the departure of Tijjani Reijnders (28).