Barcelona’s latest Rodri offer tests Manchester City’s plans for Ayoub Bouaddi

Barcelona have made a third offer for Manchester City midfielder Rodri, with the bid reported to be worth more than £60m, or about €70m, as the Premier League club continues to reshape its midfield and considers life after the Spain international.

Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported on Sunday that Barcelona’s latest proposal had been rejected by Manchester City, although there has been no official confirmation of that response.

Barcelona opened negotiations with an offer of about €50m before increasing it to almost €70m. Manchester City are understood to be holding out for €80m, despite Rodri having less than a year remaining on his contract.

The contrasting positions have intensified speculation over whether the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner could leave the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City’s willingness to discuss a sale is also being viewed alongside the club’s increasingly active recruitment of midfielders.

City broke their transfer record in July by signing England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for €135m. The deal made Anderson the most expensive player in Manchester City’s history and the most expensive British player.

The club are also close to completing a deal for Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old Morocco international could cost more than €100m, which would make him the most expensive Moroccan player ever.

Such a transfer would surpass Achraf Hakimi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, when the full-back joined the French club for €68m. Bouaddi’s potential arrival would therefore represent a major milestone for Moroccan football in the transfer market, as well as another significant investment in Manchester City’s midfield options.

Manchester City have not abandoned their interest in Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez either, despite negotiations with Chelsea having stalled. Fernandez was jeered by some Chelsea supporters during their friendly against Real Sociedad on Saturday, which Chelsea lost 3-1.

The club’s pursuit of Anderson, Bouaddi and Fernandez has fuelled the belief that Manchester City are preparing for a future without Rodri. At the same time, they appear determined to secure the highest possible fee if the midfielder is sold.

Rodri has been central to Manchester City’s success in recent seasons, but Barcelona’s third proposal has created a new stage in the negotiations. The Spanish club must now decide whether to meet City’s €80m valuation, while Manchester City weigh the benefits of retaining the midfielder against the prospect of funding a major rebuild.

The negotiations remain unresolved, with Barcelona’s latest offer yet to produce an agreement and Manchester City’s reported refusal still awaiting official confirmation.