Barcelona consider revised Rodri offer as Manchester City hold firm

Barcelona are working towards completing the signing of Rodri within the next 48 hours, with the club hoping the Manchester City midfielder can become the standout name at their squad presentation for the Joan Gamper Trophy.

The Catalan club remain calm despite reports from England and Madrid suggesting the negotiations could collapse because of differences that cannot be resolved. Barcelona believe the transfer is still likely to go through, with discussions now focused on the final financial details.

Manchester City are insisting on a package worth €80m, although Barcelona regard that figure as excessive given Rodri has only one year remaining on his contract. The Premier League club’s stance is also influenced by the need to comply with financial fair play rules after the significant sums invested in its new project.

Barcelona’s latest proposal is understood to be worth €60m plus a further €10m in add-ons and performance-related incentives. The club also suggested increasing the potential value of those variables to bring the overall package closer to €75m, but Manchester City have maintained their demand for €80m.

The Spanish club are now considering two alternative structures. One would increase the guaranteed fee to almost €70m, while the other would offer €65m up front with €15m in add-ons. Both proposals would move closer to Manchester City’s valuation and are expected to form the basis of the final stage of talks.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona’s 48-hour target is driven by their desire to present Rodri as the leading attraction at the Joan Gamper event. The club are aiming to agree the transfer during the weekend or, at the latest, on Monday.

The most significant step has already been completed, from Barcelona’s perspective, with Rodri giving his approval to the move. He rejected the possibility of joining Real Madrid, and all parties have since understood that a transfer to Barcelona was likely to happen sooner or later.

Rodri had preferred not to return to Manchester, but travelled there on the previous evening after negotiating with Manchester City over his involvement in their preparations for the new season. He is expected to train separately to rebuild his fitness while awaiting his anticipated move to La Liga.

Barcelona had believed Manchester City would release the midfielder from pre-season duties, in a similar way to the arrangement Barcelona made with Paris Saint-Germain over Ferran Torres. However, Manchester City decided that bringing Rodri back to Manchester could provide additional leverage and encourage a faster resolution to the negotiations.

Rodri has already informed Manchester City that he wants to leave and join Barcelona only. He is hoping the talks do not become seriously strained, having acted professionally throughout his years in England and believing he should be allowed to depart.

Both clubs continue to negotiate, while Barcelona president Joan Laporta is expected to become directly involved in the final phase in an attempt to give the deal one last push.