According to Fabrizio Romano, the Manchester City midfielder has suffered a "huge transfer blow" as Barcelona and the Premier League champions have agreed a deal for the player. The London Evening Standard echoed the claim, noting that the Spanish international’s move is now "deal agreed". Multiple outlets – including Sky Sports, The Athletic’s David Ornstein and the BBC – have reported that the Catalan club will pay roughly £65 million (about €76.5 million) to secure Rodri’s services.
Agreement in principle
Reports from The Athletic and The Guardian state that Barcelona have secured an agreement in principle with Manchester City, with the English side accepting a bid of £65.4 million. The fee, quoted consistently across sources such as Al Jazeera, The Independent and Sports Illustrated, suggests the clubs have moved beyond negotiations to a concrete transfer arrangement.
"Rodri: Man City dealt huge transfer blow as 'deal agreed' for star midfielder" – Fabrizio Romano (London Evening Standard)
What the fee means for Barcelona
Rodri, 30, is a 30‑year‑old defensive midfielder who captains both Spain and Barcelona’s prospective midfield. His current market value sits around €78 million, a slight dip from his peak of roughly €90 million during the 2022‑23 season when he helped City to a treble. The £65 million fee therefore represents a modest discount to his valuation, and is comparable to the £62.8 million Manchester City paid for him from Atlético Madrid in 2019. With his contract at City running until 2027, Barcelona are paying a premium for a player who still has three years left on his deal, but the price aligns with recent high‑profile midfield acquisitions.
Rodri’s career path has taken him from Villarreal’s youth set‑up to Atlético Madrid, where he broke through under Diego Simeone before joining Pep Guardiola’s City. During his time in England he won two Premier League titles, a Champions League, and the 2022 World Cup with Spain. The midfielder is also described in several reports as a former Ballon d’Or holder, highlighting the stature he brings to a Barcelona side eager to re‑establish itself among Europe’s elite.
From Barcelona’s perspective, the signing could address a clear need for a ball‑winning, tactically disciplined midfielder capable of linking defence and attack. Manager Xavi Hernández has been linked with several midfield targets, but Rodri’s experience and leadership are seen as immediate upgrades. The club’s recent transfer activity, including the acquisition of a second deal on the same day, indicates a focused push to rebuild the squad ahead of the 2026‑27 campaign.
While the paperwork is expected to be completed before the summer window closes, Rodri will still need to pass a medical – a step already hinted at by The New Telegraph. If all goes to plan, he could be unveiled in Barcelona’s preseason in early September, potentially choosing a shirt number that reflects his Spanish heritage, as suggested by Barca Universal’s report on his requested number.
Reliability: 5/5 The claim is backed by a cluster of high‑credibility outlets – Fabrizio Romano, The Athletic, Sky Sports, BBC Sport and The Guardian – all reporting the same fee and stage of "deal agreed". This convergence of independent sources makes the transfer news exceptionally solid.
