Rodri Pressures Man City for Barcelona Move
The green light from Rodri has been shining for nearly a week. Now the midfielder is starting to apply pressure of his own.
After agreeing personal terms with Barcelona, the Manchester City star is waiting on the only piece that still matters: an agreement between the clubs on the transfer fee. That, for now, remains unresolved, but the gap is shrinking.
In the meantime, Rodri has made his move.
Special request to City as holidays end
According to SPORT, the 30-year-old has asked Manchester City for special permission to skip training while his future is being negotiated.
His holidays officially ended on Thursday. He was due back at City’s training ground on Friday morning. On paper, that would have forced Barcelona to wait until next week to put the final touches on what would be one of the signings of the summer.
Rodri, though, would rather stay away from full training and protect himself while the two clubs try to close the deal. The risk of an injury in pre-season, with a transfer so close, is obvious.
If City say no, the situation is clear: he will report as instructed and continue to train while talks carry on in the background. The relationship between player, selling club and buying club is described as positive, with no signs of tension despite the high stakes.
Barça and City narrow the gap
There is still no final agreement, but the remaining financial difference between Barcelona and Manchester City is now described as “increasingly small”.
Rodri’s stance has not shifted. He wants Barcelona. He is prepared to wait a few more days in the hope that the clubs finally align, allowing him to fly straight to Catalonia and start work under Hansi Flick.
Inside Barça, the case is familiar. Ferran Torres went through something similar when he was allowed to delay his return while Barcelona finalised his move to Paris Saint-Germain. Rodri is hoping for the same understanding from City.
Flight to England raises the stakes
Even as he requested permission to miss training, Rodri was seen at Madrid airport on Thursday evening, boarding a flight to Liverpool. From there, it is a short drive to Manchester.
The trip could be practical rather than symbolic: a chance to return to the area, collect his belongings and be ready if City insist on his presence at training.
Or it could be the last quiet journey before a very loud transfer.
For Barcelona fans, his potential arrival is one of the most eagerly awaited moves of the window. Bringing in a World Cup-winning midfielder of his profile would instantly raise the ceiling of Flick’s team and reshape the spine of the side.
Now the focus is on the negotiating table. Deco is working to close the gap with City as quickly as possible. How Manchester City respond to Rodri’s request – whether they call him back into full training or allow him to stay on the sidelines – will be a telling indicator of just how close Barcelona are to landing the player who could anchor their midfield for years.
