Barcelona Raise Rodri Offer to €60m as Manchester City Demand €80m

Barcelona have increased their efforts to bring Manchester City midfielder Rodri back to Spain, with the Catalan club submitting a new verbal proposal worth €60 million plus add-ons, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Manchester City are reportedly holding firm on an €80 million valuation for the Spain international, leaving a significant gap between the two clubs. Barcelona remain confident that negotiations can produce an agreement, with the value and structure of potential add-ons likely to play a key role.

The latest proposal is an improvement on Barcelona’s initial offer of about €45 million, which City rejected. The Guardian has also reported that the Premier League champions want at least £60 million for the midfielder.

A deal somewhere between the two valuations could therefore become possible if Barcelona agree to increase the guaranteed payment or offer attractive performance-based bonuses. However, City’s position remains clear, with the club reluctant to part with a player who remains central to their midfield.

Rodri, 30, joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has played a major role in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. He was part of the side that won the historic treble in the 2022-23 season and scored the decisive goal in City’s Champions League final victory over Inter Milan.

His performances have made him one of the most influential defensive midfielders in world football. Barcelona see him as a player who could bring control, defensive stability and greater authority in possession as the club looks to strengthen its midfield.

City’s reported €80 million valuation is also influenced by Rodri’s contract situation, with the midfielder understood to be tied to the club until 2027. Barcelona must therefore decide whether to stretch their finances to secure a player who could become a key figure in their midfield.

Real Madrid have also previously been linked with Rodri, adding another layer to the midfielder’s future. For now, however, no agreement has been reached between Barcelona and Manchester City, and the final balance between the guaranteed fee and add-ons could determine whether Rodri returns to Spain this summer.