According to The Athletic, Barca's football project holds significant appeal for Rodri due to its similar playing style. Additionally, he could quickly integrate into the locker room, reuniting with eight teammates from Spain's 2026 World Cup-winning squad: Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal.

Following positive signals from Rodri, Barca will soon negotiate with Man City regarding a potential transfer. The fee for the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is estimated to be no less than 58 million USD. This is a substantial figure, especially as the Camp Nou club still needs to balance its finances, despite improvements in its wage bill and revenue this summer.

The Camp Nou club also faces intense competition from Real, who have pursued Rodri since the start of summer. Personal terms between Real and Rodri are not considered a major hurdle, but the royal club has yet to reach an agreement on the transfer fee with Man City.

Rodri poses with the Player of the Tournament award after Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York, USA, on 19/7. *Photo: AP*

Rodri joined Man City from Atletico Madrid in 2019. In his seven years at the Etihad Stadium, the Spanish midfielder won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the Champions League in 2023, where he scored the decisive goal in the final. In total, he has 28 goals and 32 assists in 298 appearances for Man City.

Rodri currently has one year left on his contract and reportedly does not wish to extend it with Man City. In April, the 30-year-old midfielder expressed a desire to return home to play in La Liga and acknowledged the appeal of potentially joining Real Madrid.

Barca began seriously considering a move for Rodri after Frenkie de Jong likely faces a long-term absence due to a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

De Jong's absence creates a significant void in the defensive midfield position. Marc Bernal is a current candidate to replace him, but the 19-year-old needs time to regain his rhythm after a serious knee injury in 2024.

If he moves to Camp Nou, Rodri would be a high-quality upgrade for coach Hansi Flick's squad. His ability to control tempo, pass, and read situations aligns with the possession-based, high-pressing style Barca is developing.

The midfielder, born in 1996, could continue his familiar role at Man City: dropping deep to support center-backs, distributing the ball to the flanks, delivering line-breaking passes, and choosing opportune moments to enter the penalty area.

According to The Athletic's playing style data analysis, Flick's Barca last season was the team most similar in style to Rodri's Man City. Both prioritize possession, dictate play, defend with a high line, and create chances through short passing combinations.

Real also aims for possession but in recent seasons has relied more on counter-attacks. If Vinicius continues to play a central role and Real maintains a 4-4-2 formation without the ball, Rodri might need to cover a wider area in midfield.

Therefore, from a tactical standpoint, Barca is considered a more suitable environment for Rodri to maximize his abilities as a central midfielder.

Rodri celebrates after Man City defeated Inter Milan in the Champions League final at Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey, on 11/6/2023. *Photo: Reuters*

How will Barca finance the Rodri transfer?

Financial capacity is always a complex issue for Barca, but the club's management reportedly has plans for significant investments this summer.

The return to Camp Nou, new revenue streams, and the departure of high-earning players like Robert Lewandowski have helped Barca significantly improve its La Liga salary cap. This creates more favorable conditions for player registration compared to previous summers.

However, the Camp Nou renovation plan also creates certain financial pressures. In summer 2027, Barca is expected to temporarily leave its home stadium for roof construction, which means losing some matchday revenue and potentially incurring additional stadium rental costs.

President Joan Laporta also confirmed the club needs to increase its loans to complete the stadium upgrade project. These factors will affect budgets for subsequent seasons, but Barca has identified summer 2026 as the time for important investments.

This summer, Barca has already added two wingers: Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for 93 million USD and Karim Adeyemi from Dortmund for 33 million USD. If Rodri is successfully signed, Barca will complete another crucial piece in midfield, thereby strengthening the squad and aiming for the new season with the goal of competing for major titles.