Man City reject Barcelona's Rodri bid & in talks for Bouaddi

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rodri has made almost 200 appearances since joining Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019

Manchester City have rejected an opening offer of £38.5m from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri.

City are open to selling the Spaniard, but would demand more than £60m.

The 30-year-old enters the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and is yet to sign a new deal, with speculation rife about his future this summer.

The club said on Friday they are in ongoing conversations with the player's representatives and later made their opening offer.

Rodri missed much of the 2024-25 campaign after sustaining a serious knee injury, and parts of last season were disrupted by a hamstring issue.

However, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner was back to his best at the World Cup in the summer, leading Spain to their second title and being named player of the tournament.

He is currently out of action after undergoing back surgery last month and is scheduled to link back up with his City team-mates in Manchester early next week.

Approaching the second week of August in the transfer window, City will be aiming to resolve Rodri's future swiftly in order to sign a replacement.

Talks are ongoing to sign 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, but the French club's £86m asking price appears to be a sticking point.

Barcelona? Real Madrid? Man City's Rodri has a decision to make

Published1 day agoDoku's new deal, Gonzalez to stay - what's latest on Man City transfers?

Published21 hours agoWhat has Rodri's agent said?According to Spanish radio network Cadena Ser, who have spoken directly to Rodri's agent Pablo Barquero, Real Madrid made Rodri an "irresistible" offer shortly after Spain's World Cup triumph.

Talks began just days after the tournament, with Rodri's camp praising the courtesy, class and respect shown by the club throughout the negotiations.

According to the report, everyone at Real Madrid, from president Florentino Perez to chief executive Jose Angel Sanchez, worked to make the deal happen and made it clear they were serious about signing the midfielder.

They had put everything on the table to get the deal over the line but despite positive discussions over the past two weeks, Rodri has made the personal decision to accept another offer, says the radio network.

Cadena Ser add that Real Madrid were informed of Rodri's decision on Friday and chose to end the process in order to avoid prolonging uncertainty, while thanking the player for the respectful way the negotiations were conducted.

PreviousNext1:15Is Hamilton in contention for the title? 00:01:15, play videoIs Hamilton in contention for the title?0:44Why have Real Madrid signed Diomande? 00:00:44, play videoWhy have Real Madrid signed Diomande?0:54Bundesliga second best behind Premier League - Kompany. 00:00:54, play videoBundesliga second best behind Premier League - Kompany1:06How Antonelli is leading Mercedes over Russell this season. 00:01:06, play videoHow Antonelli is leading Mercedes over Russell this season0:44Why Uefa could still boycott the World Cup. 00:00:44, play videoWhy Uefa could still boycott the World Cup0:54McCann wishes Celtic boss O'Neill 'speedy recovery' 00:00:54, play videoMcCann wishes Celtic boss O'Neill 'speedy recovery'1:06Athletes should speak up if they're struggling - Muirhead. 00:01:06, play videoAthletes should speak up if they're struggling - Muirhead1:25Rangers guilty of beating ourselves - McInnes. 00:01:25, play videoRangers guilty of beating ourselves - McInnes1:26Poor first-half 'killed' Hearts - Vrancken. 00:01:26, play videoPoor first-half 'killed' Hearts - Vrancken1:11The incredible story of Yan Diomande. 00:01:11, play videoThe incredible story of Yan Diomande0:57Curran and Ahmed still in England Test plans - North. 00:00:57, play videoCurran and Ahmed still in England Test plans - North0:32Thousands welcome World Cup hero Vozinha in Chile. 00:00:32, play videoThousands welcome World Cup hero Vozinha in Chile1:19Afghan women's team can play again after ban. 00:01:19, play videoAfghan women's team can play again after ban0:41Rush emotional at exhibition honouring career. 00:00:41, play videoRush emotional at exhibition honouring career1:20Memes, burgers and Danny Dyer - British runners come clean. 00:01:20, play videoMemes, burgers and Danny Dyer - British runners come cleanTop storiesMan City reject Barcelona's £38.5m bid for Rodri

Live. Transfer latest: Guimaraes set for Arsenal & Rodri bid rejected

Norway call for Infantino to resign as Mexico and Argentina back president

With great power comes great responsibility

The rise and fall of a transatlantic cocaine empire

Chris Packham explores four billion years of evolution

Liza lands a major film job but her past could derail everything

Why can't the Premier League attract the world's best players?

A secret invite and other 'pinch-me' moments before Leicester woke up

39 moves across five countries - football's ultimate journeyman

Lewis-Skelly's chance to threaten Arsenal's big-name midfielders

Who will leave Chelsea? How Blues could cut 41-man squad

Spirit eliminated after losing fiery match against MI London. VideoSpirit eliminated after losing fiery match against MI London

Why Real are happy to pay £120m for raw genius of Diomande

Weekly sports quiz: Beckham at the Commonwealth Games?

Lines to be first British woman in America's Cup team for 90 years

Why Liverpool are ready to make Barcola third £100m signing

Why £1m-a-season deal will be hard for Pollock and Hearn to find

A youngster to watch at each Premier League club this season

Why we are still waiting for the 'Newey effect' - F1 Q&A

The ex-sandwich maker who cycles to Champions League games