Manchester City have turned down a fresh £55 million offer from Barcelona for Rodri as the Spanish champions step up their pursuit of the midfielder.
Barcelona returned with the improved proposal after seeing an opening bid of around £40 million rejected last week. However, their latest attempt has also fallen short of City’s valuation.
City are understood to want more than £60 million for the 30-year-old, despite Rodri having entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Barcelona have not been discouraged by the latest rejection. The Catalan giants remain determined to sign the Spain captain and are considering whether to return with another improved offer as negotiations continue.
The situation leaves City facing an important decision over one of their most influential players.
Their preference has been to keep Rodri and agree a new contract rather than sell him this summer. However, Sky Sports News reports that City would not stand in the midfielder’s way should he make it clear that he wants to leave.
The latest bid follows several days of escalating interest from Barcelona.
City rejected Barça’s opening approach last week, with The Guardian reporting that the first offer was worth about €45 million (£38.5 million). City were demanding at least £60 million at that stage.
Barcelona have now moved substantially closer to that valuation, but the £55 million offer has still not been enough to persuade City to sanction a deal.
Rodri’s contractual situation gives the negotiations added significance. Allowing him to enter the final months of his deal without an extension would increase the risk of City eventually losing one of their most valuable players for nothing.
The midfielder has become one of the defining players of City’s recent era since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2019.
He scored the winning goal against Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final as City completed a historic treble, and his performances were recognised when he won the Ballon d’Or in 2024.
Rodri has also enjoyed major success with Spain and captained his country to World Cup glory this summer. Barcelona’s pursuit comes as they look to add another leading Spanish international to their squad.
City’s wider midfield plans could also become significant if Rodri leaves.
The club have been linked with Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, although Chelsea value the Argentina international at around £120 million. City are also reshaping their midfield following other major moves this summer.
For now, Rodri remains a Manchester City player and Barcelona’s £55 million bid has been rejected.
But with Barça still determined to complete the transfer and talks continuing, the possibility of another offer before the window closes remains firmly on the table.
