Manchester City value Rodri at more than €70 million (£60m / $81m) amid interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, sources have told ESPN. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has only one year left on his contract and could become a free agent next summer.

Barcelona have had an offer of €45m rejected for the midfielder, and while an agreement with the club is still not close, ongoing talks are taking place, sources said. City are aware that Rodri wishes to return to Spain, but will not sanction a cut‑price deal, and club bosses have not ruled out allowing him to leave because they do not want an unhappy player.

Rodri’s recent injury record, age and contract situation are key factors in the negotiations. City plan to replace him if he departs, with a separate long‑term target in Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. The summer Premier League 2026 transfer window is shaping up with confirmed ins and outs for every club, and a triangular preseason fixture for Barcelona has been explained as an unusual arrangement. Man City cruise to a preseason win against the K League All Stars, reinforcing their confidence ahead of the summer window.

There are also doubts about the futures of Tijjani Reijnders, who is wanted by Nottingham Forest, and Nico González, while City are closing in on Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli to replace Leeds‑bound James Trafford. Information from ESPN’s Sam Mardsen contributed to this report.