Barcelona 'make final decision' over Rodri transfer during Man City talks as agent speaks out

Barcelona have made a final decision over how much they are willing to pay to sign Rodri from Manchester City, it has been reported.

The Spanish midfielder, who won the World Cup this summer, had long been expected to join Real Madrid before Barcelona's interest emerged this week.

AS subsequently reported that the 30-year-old contacted Real management on Thursday to tell them that he would not be joining their club, and to explain his reasons.

Real are said to have been 'not angry' at Rodri's decision and understand why he decided not to sign for them.

Barcelona are now the heavy favourites to bring the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner back to Spain, though still must agree a deal with City.

The two clubs have entered talks and, as per Fabrizio Romano, Barca have indicated they are willing to pay 'slightly over €45 million' to sign Rodri.

City, who are said to have quoted at least €75 million in talks with Real, are said to still want a higher fee than what Barca want to offer.

It had been reported that Real were only willing to bid as much as €50 million.

Despite the difference in valuations, it appears inevitable that the transfer will happen at some stage this summer.

His agent, Pablo Barquero, told Spanish radio station Cadena SER on Thursday night that Rodri has decided to join Barca, and he is in the final 12 months of his contract at City with seemingly close to zero prospect of a renewal.

According to reports in Spain, Barca are willing to hand the midfielder a deal worth a staggering €30 million gross per year - totalling around €576,000, or £493,000, per week.

Man City have already found Rodri replacement

According to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, new City manager Enzo Maresca has already identified his 'dream' Rodri replacement in the form of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

The 25-year-old, who was sent off in the World Cup final for Argentina, has himself been linked with a move to Real Madrid over recent months.

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca identifies 'dream' Rodri replacement and it would rock the Premier League

Football.london reported that Fernandez told the Chelsea hierarchy in May that he wanted to depart Stamford Bridge, with the Blues setting an asking price of £120 million to sign him.

No club has met that valuation and it is understood that Real are not currently interested in signing him. Fernandez agreed to an eight-and-a-half year contract when he signed for Chelsea, which still has five years left to run.

But Fernandez has a strong relationship with Maresca, who managed him at Chelsea, and said that 'his departure hurt us a lot' when the Italian unexpectedly quit the London club back in January.

City are also being linked with a move for 18-year-old Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, who starred for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.

However, Lille are not keen to sell the central midfielder at this stage and have reportedly slapped an £85 million asking price on his head.