Manchester City have rejected an opening £38.5m bid from Barcelona for Rodri as the Spanish champions step up their pursuit of the midfielder.
Barcelona made their first formal offer on Friday after receiving the player’s approval to open negotiations, but City value the 30-year-old at more than £60m and are unwilling to sell for the initial proposal.
Rodri has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and is yet to agree an extension, fuelling speculation over his future throughout the summer.
Real Madrid had long been viewed as the favourites to sign the Spain international, but talks with the European champions have now ended, leaving Barcelona at the front of the queue.
Although Barca sources previously suggested there was no guarantee a deal would materialise, discussions with Rodri’s representatives remain ongoing after the club submitted their opening bid.
The Ballon d’Or winner endured an injury-hit 2024-25 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury before later being sidelined by a hamstring problem.
However, Rodri returned to his best at this summer’s World Cup, helping Spain lift the trophy and being named player of the tournament.
He is currently recovering from back surgery and is expected to rejoin City’s squad in Manchester early next week.
