Manchester City reject Barcelona’s latest bid for Rodri

Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s latest offer for Rodri as negotiations over the Spain midfielder continue, with the two clubs still apart on the financial terms of a potential transfer.

Barcelona have already had an opening approach turned down and returned with an improved proposal this week. Sky Sports reports that the latest bid was worth £55 million, while reports in Spain have placed the package at around €60 million. City have again rejected the offer, with their valuation of the 30-year-old remaining higher than the amount currently on the table.

The difference in reported figures underlines why the exact financial structure of the deal should still be treated with caution. The Times has reported a package worth £51.3 million plus £5 million in add-ons, while Cadena SER says Barcelona’s second proposal reached €60 million when fixed payments and variables are combined. What is consistent across the reports is that City have rejected Barcelona’s improved bid and that the Catalan club remain interested in continuing negotiations.

Barcelona are now expected to consider another attempt. Cadena SER reports that the club are preparing a proposal worth around €70 million, potentially structured as €60 million guaranteed plus €10 million in variables. There has been no official confirmation from either club that a third bid has been submitted.

Rodri’s potential arrival would carry significance beyond the size of the transfer fee. Barcelona are pursuing one of football’s most established controlling midfielders: a player capable of receiving possession under pressure, setting the rhythm from deep and providing defensive balance behind more advanced players. Those qualities would give Barcelona a natural reference point at the base of midfield and greater control during both buildup and defensive transitions.

His status has also risen further following Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph. Rodri played a central role in the tournament and was named its Golden Ball winner, adding another major individual honor to a career that already includes the 2024 Ballon d’Or and a long list of domestic and European titles with Manchester City.

From Barcelona’s perspective, the move therefore represents an opportunity to add experience, tactical authority and elite-level control to the midfield. Spanish reports have described Rodri as a major target for the club, while Cadena SER previously reported that the player had given Barcelona a positive response regarding a possible move. That element remains reported information rather than an official statement from Rodri or either club.

For now, the decisive issue remains the agreement between the clubs. Barcelona have increased their offer once and could do so again, but Manchester City have so far refused to accept the terms presented to them. With negotiations still active, Rodri’s future remains one of the most significant unresolved transfers of the summer window.