Rodri is closing in on a blockbuster return to Spain after Manchester City accepted a £65.4 million offer from Barcelona for the midfielder.
The 30-year-old is set to undergo a medical with the Spanish champions before completing his move to the Camp Nou, bringing an end to a hugely successful seven-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.
Rodri is expected to sign a four-year contract with Barcelona after the Catalan club finally succeeded with their latest attempt to prise him away from City.
Barcelona had already seen two approaches rejected.
An opening offer in the region of £40m was dismissed before an improved proposal of around £55m also failed to convince City. Barcelona remained determined and returned with a third offer that ultimately proved sufficient.
The agreement represents a significant decision for City because Rodri had entered the final year of his contract.
The Premier League club wanted their influential midfielder to remain in Manchester and had hoped to convince him to sign an extension. However, with Barcelona increasing their offer and Rodri interested in returning to Spain, City have now sanctioned his departure.
Rodri leaves behind an extraordinary record in English football.
He joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and developed into one of the world’s leading midfielders. During his seven seasons in Manchester, he helped City win four Premier League titles and the Champions League among a collection of major honours.
One of his defining moments came in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan, when Rodri scored the only goal as City were crowned European champions for the first time.
His individual performances were subsequently recognised when he won the Ballon d’Or in 2024.
Rodri has since added another major international honour to his career by captaining Spain to World Cup glory this summer.
However, injuries have disrupted the latter stages of his City career.
Rodri missed Sunday’s Community Shield defeat against Arsenal after only recently returning to City’s training ground following minor back surgery after the World Cup. City were beaten 3-0 as new manager Enzo Maresca experienced a difficult competitive introduction.
Maresca had made clear how highly he rated the midfielder as speculation over his future intensified.
City must now consider how to replace one of the most important players of their recent era. The club retain an interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, although securing the Argentina international could prove considerably more expensive.
For Barcelona, completing the Rodri transfer would secure one of the summer’s biggest signings and bring the Spain captain back to La Liga seven years after he left Atletico Madrid.
Only the final formalities now stand between Rodri and his move to Barcelona, with his medical and four-year contract expected to complete the transfer.
