Rodri changes transfer stance as Barcelona enter battle with Real Madrid for Man City star

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is reportedly open to a late change of decision on his next destination, opting away from a return to his home City.

It seemed destined that the Villarreal academy product would return to Madrid once more after joining the Citizens from Atletico Madrid seven years ago. But would this time join cross city rivals Real Madrid.

However, reports have emerged from Spanish outlets that the Spaniard would now be more open to a move to last season’s La Liga Champions Barcelona.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the midfielder has informed the Catalunya club of his willingness to negotiate a contract although Hansi Flick’s side remain cautious of Real Madrid’s interest until Rodri communicates his final decision with the Premier League club.

Rodri missed the majority of the 2024/25 season with an ACL injury and those struggles continued through last season as he could only make 21 Premier League appearances when City finished as Premier League runners up and trophy-less.

However, he seems to be back to his best now as he started in every game on Spain's route to becoming World Cup champions and the 30-year-old also scooped up the tournament's Golden Ball award.

He now departs Manchester City after seven years, having made a total of 298 appearances in all competitions for the club, but City are now looking to cash in on the midfielder who has just a year left on his contract.

The Ballon d’Or winner spoke on his departure ahead of the World Cup final and he said: “Right now, as I said before the FIFA World Cup, I have a contract at my club, and it will be something I want to settle when it ends.”

No matter where the midfielder lands at the end of this summer he will go down as a Manchester City legend having won 13 trophies in his seven years in England and he spoke on a potential move to Spain.

He told Spanish radio station Onda Cero: “I would like to return to LaLiga, yes, of course. For me, LaLiga is where I started. I still follow it, not as much as before, but I still follow it. But right now, I am very happy here.

“I have one year left on my contract (at City), there will come a point when we'll have to sit down, talk, and discuss things.”

Although he did follow that up by saying that “you simply cannot turn down the best clubs in the world.

Barcelona pipped their El Clasico rivals to the La Liga title by eight points last term but Real Madrid will be hoping that they will be able to overturn that deficit with the return of former manager Jose Mourinho and the potential of Rodri at the heart of their midfield.