Barcelona hope to seal Rodri deal with Manchester City within days

Rodri’s move from Manchester City to Barcelona is close to completion, with the clubs having reached an almost final agreement over a fee comprising a fixed payment and additional performance-related clauses.

The deal is expected to be officially announced in the coming days, although some outstanding details still need to be resolved before the transfer can be confirmed.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have significantly reduced the gap between Manchester City’s financial demands and the Catalan club’s initial offer. The Spanish midfielder, who is 30, agreed personal terms with Barcelona several days ago and has one year remaining on his contract with the English club.

The two sides are now close to exchanging the documents required to complete the signing. Final approval is still needed on certain technical aspects of the financial structure, but the latest progress could allow Rodri to join Barcelona early this week.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is keen to conclude the deal as quickly as possible. His urgency comes despite Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca saying Rodri was expected to report to the English club next Friday to begin pre-season training.

Recent developments, however, indicate that the player’s destination is now likely to be Catalonia.

Flick wants to have a clear understanding of the squad available to him before Barcelona begin their competitive campaign. The club’s first La Liga match is scheduled for two weeks’ time, while the transfer window remains open until 31 August, making the completion of urgent deals a priority for the coaching staff.

Rodri’s position has changed considerably during the transfer window. Barcelona were not his preferred destination at the start of the summer, nor immediately after the World Cup.

His doubts about Real Madrid, together with the fact that a near-final agreement with the Spanish club had never been formally activated, played a decisive part in altering his plans.

Barcelona are hopeful that Rodri will be able to join the club’s other world champions at roughly the same time. Those players are due to return to training next Wednesday after being given extended leave following their involvement in the World Cup.

That would give Flick an opportunity to work with much of his intended squad before the new season begins and help him establish his preferred starting line-up.

The proposed transfer remains subject to the final financial and administrative details being settled. Until the paperwork is exchanged and the agreement is formally approved, the move cannot be announced as complete.

However, the near-final understanding between Barcelona and Manchester City, combined with Rodri’s agreement on personal terms, has left the Spanish international just hours or days away from becoming a Barcelona player.