Man City set price for Rodri exit as Barcelona push for transfer deal

Manchester City are prepared to sell Rodri this summer as Barcelona step up their pursuit of the Spain captain following the collapse of Real Madrid's attempts to sign him.

The Premier League giants would demand more than £60million for the 30-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and is yet to agree fresh terms.

According to the BBC, Barcelona have been given encouragement from Rodri's camp to complete a deal.

City have, however, rejected their opening offer of £38.5m.

Barcelona have confirmed they are holding ongoing conversations with the midfielder's representatives as their interest gathers pace.

There had initially been uncertainty over whether the Spanish champions would be able to complete a deal, but the situation has developed significantly and City are now open to sanctioning Rodri's departure for the right price.

It represents a dramatic change in the race for his signature after Real Madrid had previously appeared the most likely destination.

Talks with the Bernabeu giants have now ended, leaving Barcelona with a potentially clear path towards the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner.

Rodri has endured a difficult couple of seasons with injuries despite remaining one of the world's leading midfielders.

A serious knee problem ruled him out for much of the 2024-25 campaign, while a hamstring issue disrupted parts of last season.

However, any concerns over his ability to return to his formidable best were emphatically answered at this summer's World Cup.

Rodri captained Spain to their second world title and was named player of the tournament following a series of commanding performances in midfield.

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He is currently sidelined after undergoing back surgery last month but is scheduled to reunite with his City team-mates in Manchester early next week.

With the transfer window approaching its second week of August, City will be keen for clarity over Rodri's future so they have sufficient time to recruit a replacement if he leaves.

Enzo Maresca's side are already working on a potential deal for Lille's highly-rated 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

However, the French club's £86m valuation is currently proving a significant obstacle.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, appear to have accepted defeat in their pursuit of Rodri.

Spanish radio network Cadena Ser, which spoke directly to the player's agent Pablo Barquero, reports that Madrid made the midfielder an "irresistible" proposal shortly after Spain's World Cup triumph.

Negotiations began within days of the tournament ending and Rodri's representatives were said to have appreciated the manner in which Real conducted discussions.

President Florentino Perez and chief executive Jose Angel Sanchez were reportedly among those pushing to complete the transfer.

But despite Real putting a significant package on the table, Rodri is said to have personally chosen another offer.

Madrid were informed of his decision on Friday and subsequently withdrew from negotiations rather than allow uncertainty surrounding the midfielder's future to drag on.

That decision leaves Barcelona in pole position as they attempt to lure the Spain captain back to his homeland.

And with City willing to consider offers exceeding £60m, the prospect of Rodri leaving the Etihad Stadium after seven years in Manchester is now increasingly realistic.