Rodri’s Barcelona arrival clears path for new shirt-number deal

Rodri is set to join Barcelona after reportedly agreeing to take over the number 16 shirt from Fermin Lopez, the number he has worn throughout his Manchester City and Spain career.

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Manchester City for the Spain midfielder, with the transfer expected to be officially announced in the coming hours. Reports say the Catalan club have agreed to pay an initial €60m, with a further €16m available in incentives and add-ons.

Rodri is expected to sign a four-season contract and will earn more than €13m net per year, which would make him one of Barcelona’s highest-paid players.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Rodri asked Fermin Lopez to give up the number 16 shirt so he can continue wearing it after moving to Barcelona.

Romano said on X that Fermin has agreed to change his squad number and is preparing to wear number seven instead. That decision would allow Rodri to retain the number that has become closely associated with him during his time at Manchester City and with the Spain national team.

Barcelona are expected to confirm Rodri’s final shirt number when they formally announce the signing. However, all indications point to the midfielder continuing with number 16 during his new chapter at Spotify Camp Nou.

The proposed agreement brings the formal completion of Rodri’s move close, after Barcelona and Manchester City settled the financial terms of the deal. The fixed fee will be €60m, while the additional €16m will depend on incentives and variables included in the agreement.

Rodri’s salary would place him among the best-paid members of the Barcelona squad. His contract is set to run for four seasons, although the club has not yet made the transfer official.

The number change involving Fermin is expected to be part of the announcement surrounding Rodri’s arrival. Fermin has worn number 16 at Barcelona, but is now set to move to number seven to make room for Rodri.

For Rodri, retaining the shirt would preserve a personal tradition from his previous club career and his international football. The midfielder has worn number 16 throughout his time with Manchester City and Spain, and the arrangement with Fermin would allow him to take the same number into his Barcelona career.

The transfer announcement, including confirmation of the shirt number, is expected within hours. Until Barcelona make the deal official, the precise number Rodri will wear remains formally unconfirmed, despite the strong indications that number 16 will follow him to Spotify Camp Nou.