Barcelona have no plans to sign a new midfielder this summer, a stance that could leave Real Madrid in pole position to pursue Spain captain Rodri.

The Catalan club consider their midfield options sufficient, with head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco convinced they already have enough players to cover the three positions in that area of the team, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

That view has reportedly led Barcelona to advise Marc Casado to look for a new club during the current transfer window. The midfielder is now considered highly likely to leave before the start of the new season.

Barcelona’s position is significant because Rodri had emerged as a potential target amid speculation that the club could enter the market for midfield reinforcements. The Manchester City player, who captains Spain, enhanced his reputation with his performances at the most recent World Cup and is regarded as one of the leading midfielders in world football.

However, three factors are working against a move to Barcelona: the club’s belief that it already has adequate midfield cover, the likely cost of the transfer and the expectation that Rodri’s preferred destination could be Real Madrid.

Rodri’s transfer fee could reach about 70m euros, a figure Barcelona are unwilling to commit to for a player who would primarily be required to cover Frenkie de Jong’s absence during the Netherlands international’s injury.

Although De Jong’s injury has prompted questions over whether Barcelona should strengthen in midfield, those concerns are understood to be coming mainly from supporters and the media rather than from the club’s sporting department.

Flick and Deco do not believe the situation requires an immediate addition. Their assessment is that Barcelona have more than enough players to fill the available midfield roles, despite the uncertainty created by De Jong’s injury.

Financial considerations are also central to the club’s thinking. Barcelona regard a deal worth close to 70m euros as difficult to justify if the signing is intended only as a temporary solution while De Jong is unavailable. The club therefore appears reluctant to make a major investment in an area it does not currently view as its most pressing concern.

Marca reports that Barcelona’s transfer priorities lie elsewhere, with attacking reinforcements at the top of the list. Defensive additions are also being considered, but with less urgency than strengthening the forward line.

That combination of factors has reduced the likelihood of Barcelona competing for Rodri, despite the player’s quality and the attention surrounding his future. If the Catalan club maintains its current approach, Real Madrid could find itself with a clearer route to negotiations for the Spain captain.

For now, Barcelona are expected to rely on their existing midfield group rather than pursue a high-value replacement for De Jong. Casado’s potential departure further underlines the club’s confidence in the depth already available to Flick, while Rodri’s possible move increasingly appears to be a matter for Real Madrid rather than their domestic rivals.