Rodri is considering leaving Manchester City to return to Spain, in which Barcelona is considered the priority destination for the 30-year-old midfielder.
This information became a strong blow to new coach Enzo Maresca in the context that the Spanish star only has one year left on his contract and shows no signs of renewal.
According to Spanish media, Barcelona currently has an advantage over Real Madrid in the race to sign Rodri. The Camp Nou team needs to add personnel after Frenkie de Jong suffered a long-term knee ligament injury, while Rodri himself also wants to return to his hometown after 7 years attached to the Etihad stadium.
Los Blancos are still closely following the situation and are ready to spend about 43 million pounds to recruit the Spanish international. However, after just completing the Yan Diomande deal worth more than 115 million pounds, the Royal team has not yet reached any agreement with Man City. Meanwhile, Barcelona has stepped up contacts to persuade Rodri to join Camp Nou.
On Man City's side, they are still cautious in extending the contract with Rodri as this midfielder has continuously encountered injury problems in the past two seasons. However, if he leaves, the Etihad club will be forced to look for a worthy replacement.
Maresca's team has recruited Elliot Anderson for a fee of 116 million pounds and is still pursuing Lille's young talent Ayyoub Bouaddi, even though the French team requires up to 85 million pounds. These are considered options to prepare for the possibility of parting ways with Rodri.
In the opposite direction, The Citizens received good news when Jeremy Doku decided to stick with the club for a long time. The Belgian winger has signed a new contract valid until 2031 with an option to extend for another year. Previously, Phil Foden, Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol also committed their future to the Etihad club.
In addition, James Trafford officially left Man City to join Leeds United for a fee of 45 million pounds, becoming one of the most expensive goalkeepers in football history. In the context that the transfer window is still long, Man City is likely not to stop if Rodri or Savinho leave the team.
The final decision will depend on Rodri's ambition and how Man City reacts in the remaining weeks of the transfer window. At the age of 30, Rodri is still considered one of the most comprehensive defensive midfielders in the world, capable of making a difference for any team.
Barcelona may give Rodri the opportunity to become the center of the new project, while Real Madrid possesses the attraction of tradition and ambition to conquer major titles.
On Man City's side, the loss of Rodri will affect the stability of the team in the first season under Maresca. Therefore, the Board of Directors of the Etihad Stadium team is likely to only agree to sit at the negotiating table if they receive a persuasive offer and have prepared a replacement plan.
