Barcelona confident of Rodri deal as City brace for another summer departure
The noise from Catalonia is growing louder. Barcelona are reportedly now very confident about agreeing a transfer deal for Manchester City midfielder Rodri, according to Fabrizio Romano. Nothing is done yet, but it looks like things are heading in a positive direction, with Barcelona confident of bringing Rodri to the Nou Camp as the clubs negotiate together over the player's transfer fee.
Barcelona are now in official club to club talks with City and very confident to get the Rodri deal done. Initial indications from Barça are open to pay a fee slightly over €45m, while City are in direct talks indicating a higher price. Rodri wants Barça.
It has been a summer of significant change at the Etihad. Bernardo Silva and John Stones have also left after coming to the ends of their contracts, while of course there was also the blow of legendary manager Pep Guardiola stepping down.
Still, they also can't complain too much after surely getting the best of the 30-year-old, who won the lot with City during his peak years. Rodri was player of the tournament as he won the World Cup this summer, adding to a collection of honours that includes the Champions League, Premier League titles, and the FA Cup.
For City, the challenge is clear: replace the irreplaceable. The midfielder has been the metronome, the calm in the storm, the player who made everything else look simple. At 30, there is an argument that City are selling at the right moment. The legs don't lie forever, and the Premier League's demands are unforgiving.
But that logic rarely makes the goodbye any easier. The coming days will determine whether Barcelona's confidence is justified. Right now, the smart money is on Rodri lining up in Blaugrana next season.