Rodri Agrees to Barcelona Move, Opening Talks with Manchester City

Rodri, the standout midfielder recently named best player of the 2026 World Cup won by Spain, has given his "yes" to Barcelona, signaling a potential move from Manchester City. A source within the Catalan club confirmed to AFP that Rodri's agreement opens the door for negotiations with his current club.

The 30-year-old Spanish international, who also won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, has one year remaining on his contract with Manchester City. Recent media reports had indicated interest from Real Madrid in signing the player. Barcelona's source emphasized that while the player's agreement is a significant development, it does not guarantee the transfer will materialize.

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We can say that Barça is closer today than yesterday to considering this signing. Does that mean it will happen? No. There is no guarantee.

"We can say that Barça is closer today than yesterday to considering this signing. Does that mean it will happen? No. There is no guarantee," the source stated. "What has changed compared to yesterday, and even compared to this morning, is that we now have the player's 'yes' to open negotiations with Manchester City. From here, the operation may or may not go ahead, but that is the novelty and the substantial change compared to the previous situation."

Rodri's career has seen him become a pivotal player for Manchester City since his 2019 transfer. He was instrumental in Spain's recent World Cup victory, capping a remarkable resurgence after a serious knee injury. His performance in the tournament, where he was the "master key" for the champions, led to his selection as the tournament's best player. This follows his European Championship win with Spain in 2024 and a Champions League title with City the previous year.

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What has changed compared to yesterday, and even compared to this morning, is that we now have the player's 'yes' to open negotiations with Manchester City. From here, the operation may or may not go ahead, but that is the novelty and the substantial change compared to the previous situation.