Rodri seals transfer to Barcelona after seven-year stint at Man CityplayMaresca admits concerns as Man City plan more spending (1:20)Sam MarsdenAug 18, 2026, 12:40 PM ETMultiple Authors
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Barcelona have completed the signing of Manchester City midfielder Rodri in a transfer worth an initial €60 million (£51m / $69m), the two clubs have confirmed.
City could make an additional €16.5m (£14m / $19m) on the deal if a series of add-ons, related to Rodri’s achievements at Barça, are met in the coming years.
Rodri, 30, has agreed a four-year deal with the Spanish champions, and sources told ESPN he turned down an approach from Real Madrid to push through the move to Spotify Camp Nou.
“I am so happy to be here. It’s a really special day, a new, important chapter in my career,” he reported at his unveiling.
“It was a tough decision. Firstly because I was leaving City, who gave me everything. I was really happy there and will always be grateful. I appreciate how they facilitated my exit.
“Barcelona has always been a reference for me because of the values and the playing style here. It’s true I had another offer, but Barça was the first option and I told the board here that.”
The Spain captain, who was named the Player of the Tournament as La Roja won the World Cup this summer, bolsters a midfield which already includes Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo and Fermín López.
Rodri has sealed a return to Spain. Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesBarça had not begun the summer desperate to sign a midfielder but moved quickly to bring in Rodri, who had just one year to run on his contract at City, once it became clear he was available.With De Jong set for a spell on the sideline injured and coach Hansi Flick keen to add more leaders to the squad, Rodri was viewed as a “statement signing,” a source reported, who can help Barça improve immediately.”We need players with this leadership on the pitch,” Flick reported in April despite winning back-to-back LaLiga titles. “This is important in these [key] moments.”It’s about speaking or telling a teammate ‘One or two meters left or right, or press.’ This is what we need on the pitch, more to speak.- João Cancelo set for Barcelona return after agreeing Al Hilal exit – source
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“In training I am really happy. But in the moment, in a quarterfinal or a semifinal in the Champions League, we also need this, players who are measured and able to show where we must go on the pitch.”
Rodri came through at Villarreal and Atlético Madrid before joining City in 2019.
He has since won almost everything there is to win in the game, both collectively and individually.
In addition to four Premier League titles and a Champions League with City, he has also won the European Championships and World Cup with Spain, being named Player of the Tournament at both championships.
Success at the Euros led to him winning the Ballon d’Or in 2024, making him the first Spanish man to win it since Luis Suárez in 1960.
“I am ready to play now. I hope to train tomorrow, get back up to speed and be ready to help the team as soon as possible,” he reported.
“I was with a lot of the [Barça players] for two months at the World Cup. I have seen them today. It’s a young squad with a desire to big things. I hope I can contribute. It’s been a warm reception so far.
“I spoke with [Flick] and he transmitted his hopes to me. I am really excited to work with him. I love his bold way of playing football. I still have room to improve and I think he can complement my style of playing. I have spoken more with Deco and Laporta, but Flick is a really transparent coach. I am here to play my part.”
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