Manchester City rejects Barcelona's first bid for Rodri

Manchester City has reportedly turned down Barcelona's opening offer of 38.5 million pounds for midfielder Rodri. The 30-year-old Spanish international has just one year remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, fueling speculation about a potential return to his home country.

However, City is said to have placed a price tag of approximately 68 million pounds on the player, who was named the Best Player of the 2026 World Cup. While Real Madrid was initially considered the frontrunner for Rodri's signature, Barcelona has emerged as a leading contender to bring the midfielder back to La Liga.

Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has become a pivotal figure in the club's successful era, contributing to multiple Premier League titles and their first Champions League victory in 2023. Internationally, he was part of Spain's Euro 2024 winning squad and received the Ballon d'Or that same year.

Barcelona is rumored to be preparing a revised offer of around 50 million euros, including add-ons, though the club has not confirmed the exact amount. Negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days. Rodri is currently on vacation in Ibiza, awaiting a decision on his future, with sources indicating his preference is to join Barcelona.