Rodri Was Decisive in Spain's World Cup Title — and His Future Could Now Cost More Than £60 Million
City rejected Barça's bid for Rodri, named best player at the World Cup. The club wants more than £60m for the Spanish midfielder, who prefers a return to Spain.
He was named the best player at the World Cup, led Spain to a second title, and won the Ballon d'Or. Now Rodri has become the centrepiece of one of the biggest deals in the European transfer market — and Manchester City have no intention of letting him go cheaply.
According to BBC Sport, City rejected a £38.5 million offer from Barcelona for the Spanish midfielder. The English club is open to negotiations, but is demanding more than £60 million to release the Spain captain. The Catalan bid was submitted on Friday, and talks remain ongoing.
Barcelona entered the race after negotiations with Real Madrid broke down. Rodri, 30, is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and, according to the BBC, has already agreed personal terms with the Catalan club — who have the player's preference, as he wants to return to Spain following Pep Guardiola's departure.
The midfielder missed much of the 2024–25 season with a knee injury and is still recovering from back surgery. But at the World Cup he returned to his very best — and Spain, whom Golmetria's model gives a 75% chance of winning the title, have already secured their place in the semi-finals with a perfect record in the group stage.
Meanwhile, another curious chapter involved City. Brazilian forward Kerolin failed to report for the club's pre-season in July before her transfer to Barcelona was made official, according to The Guardian. City went two days without a response before confirming the sale — for a record fee in the WSL.
Two players, two destinations, one club at the heart of both stories. The question that lingers: how much is a world champion who can still decide a World Cup actually worth?