Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle to sign Manchester City star Rodri, various sources confirmed to ESPN. Sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday that a deal had been brokered between the two clubs, paperwork exchanged, and now the agreement is being finalised. Barcelona’s previous two bids for Rodri had failed, but the La Liga champions made a third offer over the weekend with a total package of 76.5 million euros. Rodri, 30, is expected to arrive in Barcelona in the coming days and could be presented as a player before Wednesday’s Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al Ahly at Camp Nou.
The club is also aiming to secure a striker as well, with their eyes on Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez after the exits of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Rodri was not in the club’s plans originally, but the club seized the opportunity as he made himself available after winning the FIFA World Cup with Spain. A long-term injury faced by Frenkie de Jong has also meant that Barcelona is exploring some new midfielder options in the market.
Rodri is being viewed as a marquee signing by Barcelona, who can take the Hansi Flick-managed side, back-to-back La Liga champions, to newer heights. He was also named the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in both of Spain’s triumphs. After spells at Villarreal and Atletico, Rodri joined Man City back in 2019 and has made a rich CV for himself there, with four Premier League titles and a Champions League title, including European Championships and the FIFA World Cup with Spain.
