Manchester City Wants $76-87 Million Fixed Fee for Rodri, Spanish Media Report

MANCHESTER, England —

Manchester City is demanding a fixed fee of 70 million to 80 million euros ($76 million to $87 million) to sell midfielder Rodri to Barcelona, according to the Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, as cited by Yahoo Sports. That price is well above what Barcelona has offered so far, even after two rounds of bidding.

Rodri, who turns 30 this year, has less than 12 months left on his City contract. He captained Spain to the World Cup title this summer and won the tournament's Golden Ball as its best player, adding to a Ballon d'Or he won in 2024 and a Champions League winning goal in 2023, according to ESPN. City is using that resume to justify its asking price even though Rodri is entering the final phase of his career, Yahoo Sports reported.

Barcelona Keeps Raising Its Offer, City Keeps Saying No

Barcelona's bidding has moved in stages. The club's opening offer of about 45 million euros was rejected outright, according to Guardian Sport. Barcelona then came back with roughly 60 million euros, which the Guardian described as close to City's valuation, though Sky Sports reported that same bid, converted to about 55 million pounds, was still turned down by City. Yahoo Sports put the latest Barcelona offer at up to 65 million euros once bonuses are included, still short of what City wants. ESPN reported that talks between the clubs could ultimately land around 70 million euros, but cautioned that the situation could change quickly.

Sky Sports reported that City is seeking upwards of 60 million pounds (about $76 million) and that City would prefer to keep Rodri and negotiate a new contract, but would not block a move if he asked to leave. Rodri has told City he prefers a transfer to Barcelona over a rival approach from Real Madrid, ESPN reported, citing club sources.

Money Pressure on Both Sides

Barcelona is trying to balance the Rodri deal with other spending needs, including a forward following the departure of Robert Lewandowski, according to Yahoo Sports. City, meanwhile, is negotiating to sell midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to the Saudi club Al Qadsiah for a package worth about 60 million euros, according to Sky Sports, while also pursuing Chelsea's Enzo Fernández and Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi to reinforce its own midfield, the Guardian and Sky Sports both reported. Neither outlet said when a Rodri deal might be finalized.