Manchester City midfielder Rodri has arrived in Barcelona ahead of his €76.5 million move to the Catalan giants. The 30‑year‑old said it was a "dream come true" as he stepped off the plane at Barcelona's El Prat airport, eager to join the Nou Camp squad. He praised the teammates he already knows from the national team and expressed excitement about competing for the Champions League.

The deal inovoked after a rejected €50 million offer earlier this week, and Barcelona finalised a higher bid before announcing the signing on Sunday. If Rodri passes his medical on Tuesday, the announcement will follow with a formal presentation slated for Wednesday. The move gives Barcelona a world‑cup winner who lifted Spain’s trophy earlier this summer and who will add depth to a midfield that already boasts stars. Barcelona's midfield is already bolstered by Xavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Riqui Puig, and the signing of Rodri is expected to strengthen defensive coverage and aerial presence.

Manchester City, hoping to keep their linchpin, were unable to persuade him to stay. Manager Enzo Maresca called Rodri a "top player" after the Community Shield, but the club has already spent €135 million on Elliot Anderson and sold Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadisah. They are also eyeing Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández to replace the midfield depth lost with Rodri's departure.

Rodri, a former Atlético Madrid player, spent seven seasons with City, winning four Premier League titles and scoring the only goal in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan. He won the Ballon d’Or the following year, though injuries have limited his appearances in Pep Guardiola’s final campaign.