Barcelona have reached an agreement on personal terms with Manchester City star Rodri, beating rivals Real Madrid to the 30-year-old midfielder's signature. According to reports from AS and insider Matteo Moretto, the Spanish international is set to sign a four-year contract with Barcelona, earning a gross salary of €30 million per season.
This blockbuster deal marks one of Barcelona's largest financial commitments under manager Hansi Flick. Following Robert Lewandowski's departure, Rodri is expected to become the highest-paid player at Camp Nou.
Why Rodri Chose Barcelona Over Real Madrid
Despite long-standing interest from Real Madrid, Rodri opted for Barcelona due to several key factors:
- Tactical Fit: Having spent years mastering possession football under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Rodri felt Barcelona's philosophy suited his attributes best.
- National Team Connections: Strong ties with Spanish teammates, who recently celebrated World Cup success, played a pivotal role in persuading him to join Camp Nou.
- Managerial Confidence: While Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid reportedly had lingering doubts about the transfer, Hansi Flick directly communicated a clear, central role for Rodri in Barca's system.
Transfer Fee Negotiations
With personal terms finalized, Barcelona are set to open formal negotiations with Manchester City. The Catalan giants are preparing an initial bid of around €50 million, while City valuation stands between €60 million and €70 million. Despite the gap, all parties remain confident that a deal will be concluded soon.