Manchester City Rejects Barcelona's Opening Offer for Rodri
Rodri Hernández's potential return to LaLiga has encountered its first major obstacle. Although the Spanish midfielder has reportedly given the green light to join FC Barcelona, negotiations between the two clubs remain far from reaching an agreement.
According to SPORT, Manchester City has rejected Barcelona's opening proposal, believing it falls well short of the club's valuation of the reigning Ballon d'Or winner.
The transfer remains alive, but the financial gap between the two sides continues to complicate one of the biggest stories of the summer transfer window.
City Refuses to Lower Its Asking Price
According to SPORT, Barcelona's initial offer included €45 million guaranteed, plus €15 million in performance-related add-ons.
However, Manchester City has maintained a firm stance and is unwilling to negotiate for less than €65 million, a figure the Premier League club believes accurately reflects the value of one of the world's best defensive midfielders.
The gap between both clubs remains significant, although the Catalan side is optimistic that negotiations will continue over the coming days.
Rodri Has Already Chosen Barcelona
While discussions continue between the clubs, everything suggests the player has already made his decision.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Rodri's priority is to become an FC Barcelona player, and he is now waiting for both clubs to reach an agreement to complete the transfer.
That information aligns with an earlier report from SPORT, which revealed that Hansi Flick held a direct phone conversation with the midfielder to explain the club's sporting project, a discussion that reportedly convinced the Spanish international.
In recent days, Real Madrid's interest has also cooled, leaving Barcelona as the clear frontrunner to sign the Ballon d'Or winner.
Is the Financial Sacrifice Worth It?
From a football perspective, the answer appears straightforward.
Rodri would be an ideal fit in Hansi Flick's system thanks to his ability to control the tempo of matches, recover possession, and provide balance between defense and attack. His leadership and experience at the highest level would make him a cornerstone for a team looking to compete for every major trophy once again.
The biggest challenge, however, remains financial.
Barcelona must now decide whether to improve its offer in order to meet Manchester City's valuation or hold its current position, risking a prolonged negotiation.
For now, the player's intentions appear clear. The challenge is no longer convincing Rodri, but finding a transfer fee that satisfies a Manchester City side unwilling to part with one of the key players in Enzo Maresca's squad.
