Barcelona Make Shock Contact For Man City Captain Rodri After Frenkie de Jong Injury Blow
It is claimed a senior Barcelona executive has gone straight to the Premier League heavyweights to explore a summer transfer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup winner.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
FC Barcelona have made a surprise move to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri in the wake of a serious injury to Frenkie de Jong, but face an uphill battle with Real Madrid firmly in the driving seat for the Spanish international.
According to reports from Catalunya Radio, Barcelona have launched a direct approach to Manchester City to understand the parameters of a deal for the 30-year-old World Cup winner.
The Catalan club has been forced into the market after Frenkie de Jong suffered a major knee injury during the World Cup. The Dutchman sustained a tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee, an injury that is expected to keep him out for up to four months. Facing an immediate shortage of experience to anchor Hansi Flick’s system, the Blaugrana board has identified Rodri as an ideal solution.
It is claimed a senior Barcelona executive has gone straight to the Premier League heavyweights to explore a summer transfer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup winner.
However, the move is complicated on several fronts. Despite Rodri entering the final 12 months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City are refusing to let their captain leave cheaply. While their preference is to renew his contract, they will not entertain any bids under €50 million, believing his tactical value and recent Golden Ball success at the World Cup justifies a premium price.
More significantly, Barcelona’s inquiry faces a major roadblock from arch-rivals Real Madrid. Madrid have already had multiple formal contacts with City over the last few weeks and are said to have an agreement with the player.
Rodri has frequently communicated his strong desire to return to his home city of Madrid, with his close family natively from the capital and a return to the Santiago Bernabeu seen as his absolute priority. That personal preference heavily favours Madrid over Camp Nou.
From a Barcelona perspective, the move represents a market opportunity given Rodri’s contract situation, but they will need to overcome both City’s valuation and Rodri’s desire for Madrid.
Meanwhile, Rodri himself is set to undergo surgery on a back injury following the World Cup and will miss the start of the Premier League season. New City boss Enzo Maresca confirmed the surgery, but said he remains calm over the Real Madrid links.
With PSG also contacting City over a potential hijack, the race for one of world football’s most dominant midfielders is set to intensify before the transfer window closes, with Real Madrid still believed to be the most likely destination should he leave Manchester this summer.
About Author
