Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle with Manchester City to sign Spanish midfielder Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known simply as Rodri, bringing one of the biggest transfers of the 2026 summer window closer to completion.
The 30-year-old midfielder is expected to move to the La Liga champions after Manchester City accepted Barcelona’s latest proposal, with reports putting the overall package at about €76.5 million (£65.3 million). Reuters has separately reported that City accepted a £65.4 million bid for the Spain international.
The agreement follows a series of negotiations between the two clubs after Barcelona initially struggled to meet City’s valuation of their midfield star. Barcelona’s earlier offers, including proposals around €45 million and €60 million, were rejected before the Catalan club returned with an improved package.
Rodri has reportedly agreed personal terms with Barcelona and is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Spanish champions. The remaining formalities are expected to be completed before the transfer is officially concluded.
The move represents a major return to Spanish football for Rodri, who previously played for Villarreal and Atlético Madrid before joining Manchester City in 2019 for a then-club-record £62.8 million fee.
Rodri leaves Manchester City after seven highly successful seasons in England, during which he established himself as one of the most influential defensive midfielders in world football.
He made 298 appearances for City and helped the club win 12 major trophies, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the UEFA Champions League.
One of the defining moments of his City career came in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan, when Rodri scored the only goal of the match to secure the club’s first European title.
His individual achievements have also been significant. Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or after playing a central role in Manchester City’s success and establishing himself as one of the world’s leading midfielders.
His move to Barcelona will also reunite him with Spanish football at a time when the Catalan club is looking to strengthen its midfield and compete at the highest level in Europe.
Barcelona’s interest in Rodri had intensified in recent weeks, with the midfielder reportedly favouring a return to Spain. The Guardian reported that Rodri had made clear his desire to move to Barcelona, while City were unable to persuade him to extend his contract.
The timing of the transfer is particularly significant for Manchester City because Rodri entered the final year of his contract. Rather than risk losing the midfielder for nothing next summer, City have opted to accept Barcelona’s offer.
Rodri’s departure will leave a significant gap in the Manchester City midfield, particularly following the summer exit of Bernardo Silva. The club has already invested heavily in rebuilding the position, including the £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson.
City are also pursuing Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as they prepare for life without Rodri, while Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández has also been linked with a possible move to the Etihad.
Rodri’s immediate availability, however, could be affected by his recent injury history. The midfielder only returned to Manchester City training shortly before the Community Shield after undergoing minor back surgery following the 2026 World Cup. He subsequently missed City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Despite those concerns, Barcelona’s decision to pursue the deal underlines the club’s belief in Rodri’s quality and experience. His ability to control possession, protect the defence and dictate the tempo of matches is expected to add significant strength to Barcelona’s midfield.
For Rodri, the transfer marks the beginning of a new chapter after a trophy-filled spell in England. For Barcelona, it could prove to be one of the defining signings of their summer rebuild.
The transfer is now expected to move into the final formal stages, with Rodri set to complete his move to Barcelona once the necessary documentation and medical procedures are concluded.
Source: Newspyramid.com
