Barcelona reach €76.5m Rodri transfer agreement in principle with Manchester City

Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle worth €76.5million (£65.3m; $87.8m) with Manchester City for the transfer of Rodri.

City will receive an upfront fee of €60million (£51.2m; $68.8m) for the central midfielder with the majority of the add-ons viewed as achievable.

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue for the Spain international, who starred in his nation’s World Cup success this summer, with a four-year contract proposed by champions of La Liga.

Barcelona made an offer of around €45million (£38.6m; $52.1m) plus add-ons for Rodri on August 7. The Spanish champions had been made aware that City would want close to €80m to sanction his exit.

The Athletic reported on August 6 that Barcelona were exploring a deal for Rodri, and the 30-year-old preferred a move to Camp Nou over any other club. Real Madrid had also been exploring a move for the Spain captain this summer.

Rodri has entered the final 12 months of his City contract and has not shown a willingness to extend his terms.

A move to Barcelona would see the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner join up with seven members of Spain’s 2026 World Cup winning squad: Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal. Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball following his performances at the tournament.

Hansi Flick’s side will be without fellow midfielder Frenkie de Jong for a lengthy spell due to a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

City, meanwhile, signed England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a £116million ($155m) deal in July. The Athletic reported on July 14 they were also pushing to sign Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, from Lille, who impressed at the World Cup.

Rodri moved to City from Atletico in 2019 and has won four Premier League titles, the FA Cup twice, the League Cup on three occasions and the Champions League, scoring the winning goal in the 2023 final. He has made 298 appearances for the club, providing 28 goals and 32 assists.