Barcelona Close to Signing Rodri; Enzo Maresca Provides Update
Barcelona appears close to securing a transfer deal for midfielder Rodri before he rejoins Manchester City training this week. After moving ahead of Real Madrid in the pursuit of the World Cup winner, Barcelona’s initial $52 million (£38.5 million) offer was rejected, with City seeking around $81 million (£60 million).
Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona has yet to meet the asking price but has proposed an offer starting at $63.5 million (£47 million), excluding additional fees. This has brought negotiations into their final stage as both clubs work out the details.
The gap in valuation might be bridged by including a Barcelona player in the deal. Rumors suggest Manchester City could be interested in 19-year-old midfielder Tommy Marqués from Barcelona’s squad.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is pushing the club’s leadership to finalize the transfer swiftly, aiming to have Rodri ready for preseason preparations with the revamped team before the new season begins.
Enzo Maresca Confirms Rodri’s Return Date to Manchester City
After winning the World Cup with Spain, Rodri’s return to preseason training has been delayed. He missed all of Enzo Maresca's first preseason phase, which ended recently ahead of the Community Shield match against Arsenal scheduled for Sunday, August 16.
Maresca shared that Rodri is set to return to Manchester on August 14. “At the moment, he will be in Manchester,” Maresca said. “There is no update. On Aug. 14 he will be back.”
Reaching an agreement quickly would help both sides: Barcelona wants more time to integrate Rodri into their squad, while City needs to plan for life without their key midfielder.
New signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest has not played in preseason either, having participated in England’s third-place playoff this summer, leaving players like Mateo Kovačić, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nico González to share minutes on the field.
A notable replacement for Rodri is anticipated, with speculation linking Maresca to a reunion with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández. The Argentine, who faced Rodri in the World Cup final, is just returning to training and will need time before the upcoming season.
