Rodri’s proposed Barcelona transfer set to reward Atletico Madrid and Villarreal

Barcelona’s preliminary agreement with Manchester City for the signing of Rodri could provide an unexpected financial boost for Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, despite neither club having any direct involvement in the negotiations.

The two Spanish sides are entitled to receive payments under FIFA’s solidarity mechanism if the move goes through, because they contributed to the development of the Spain midfielder during his formative years.

Rodri, 30, is preparing to return to La Liga after seven years away from Spain. The proposed transfer to Barcelona is worth an initial €65m, with a further €10m available in add-ons and performance-related bonuses, taking the potential total to €75m.

Under FIFA’s solidarity rules, clubs that helped train a player between the ages of 12 and 23 are entitled to 5% of the overall transfer fee. According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, that allocation is calculated at 0.25% for each year between the ages of 12 and 15, and 0.5% for every year from 16 to 23.

That mechanism means Rodri’s first youth club, Rayo Majadahonda, will not receive any money from the transfer. Although he began his development there, he left at the age of 11, before the period covered by the solidarity payments began.

Atletico Madrid, however, will benefit. Rodri joined the club at 11 and remained there until he was 17, spending seven seasons within its academy and first-team structure.

Based on the guaranteed portion of the proposed deal, Atletico would receive at least €1.5m. That figure is made up of €650,000 for the four seasons before Rodri turned 15 and €975,000 for the three seasons after that age.

If all the additional clauses are activated and the transfer reaches its maximum value of €75m, Atletico’s share would rise to €2m. The calculation would comprise €750,000 for the period before he was 15 and €1.125m for the seasons that followed.

Villarreal are also in line for a payment after playing a significant role in Rodri’s development. The midfielder spent five seasons with the club, including two in the academy and three with the senior team, where his talent became widely recognised.

At the fixed transfer value of €65m, Villarreal would receive €1.625m under the solidarity mechanism. Should the deal reach €75m, the club’s payment would increase to €1.875m.

In total, Rodri’s return to Spanish football in a Barcelona shirt could deliver close to €4m to Atletico Madrid and Villarreal. The move would see him join Atletico’s traditional rivals, while the two clubs benefit financially from his career development without taking part in the transfer talks.