Man City's Rodri to join Barcelona for 65 million pounds: BBC

Rodri, widely considered one of the era's top midfielders, is set to leave Manchester City for FC Barcelona, according to a report by the BBC. The deal is reportedly for four years with a transfer fee of 65 million pounds (approximately 124.8 billion Korean won). This move marks Rodri's return to Spain's La Liga after seven years. Since joining City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has been instrumental in the club's success, appearing in 298 matches. He contributed to 13 titles, including four Premier League championships, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and one UEFA Champions League title. In 2024, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or. Despite facing significant knee injuries in the 2024-2025 season and hamstring issues last season, he led Spain to their second World Cup title in 2026, earning the Golden Ball for best player. The BBC noted that while Real Madrid was initially considered a likely destination for Rodri, Barcelona's swift action changed the dynamics of the transfer race. Manchester City is reportedly looking to sign 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayub Bouadi from Lille to fill the void left by Rodri.