Barcelona has submitted an enhanced offer of approximately €60 million (£51 million) to Manchester City for midfielder Rodri. This revised proposal comes after their initial bid of €45 million was swiftly declined by City.
The latest bid from the Spanish side, which may incorporate performance-related add-ons, is nearing the valuation set by City for the 30-year-old, who recently captained Spain to a World Cup victory and earned the Ballon d’Or in 2024.
Rodri’s expressed desire to join Barcelona suggests that his departure is becoming increasingly likely. In anticipation of this potential transfer, City is considering Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández as a replacement, although Chelsea’s asking price of approximately £120 million may prove to be prohibitive.
Reports indicate that Chelsea is firmly holding to this valuation for the attacking midfielder, which may necessitate the inclusion of add-ons in any prospective deal. Enzo Maresca, who previously managed Fernández for a season and a half at Chelsea before his departure in January, is particularly interested in acquiring the player.
The 25-year-old was instrumental in Maresca’s squad, which secured a fourth-place finish and clinched the Europa Conference title in the 2024-25 season, as well as winning the FIFA Club World Cup last summer.
If City successfully negotiates a deal for Fernández, a World Cup champion with Argentina in 2022, it could lead to the sale of another midfielder, with Tijjani Reijnders being a potential candidate for exit.
As Rodri is set on moving to Barcelona, the addition of Fernández, who served as Chelsea’s captain, would bring valuable experience and leadership to Maresca’s roster, enhancing City’s competitive edge with his dynamic playing style.
So far, City has secured the signing of Elliott Anderson for £116 million from Nottingham Forest and is nearing an agreement for Ayyoub Bouaddi, valued at around £85 million, from Lille.
In turn, Chelsea is reportedly exploring options, including Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, as a potential replacement for Fernández should he depart.
On Wednesday, City announced the acquisition of Gerónimo Rulli on a two-year contract following James Trafford’s transfer to Leeds. The 35-year-old Argentine goalkeeper previously played for the club during the 2016-17 season.
Rulli expressed his commitment, stating, “My job now is to train hard, get to know the players and staff, and do everything I can.”
