MADRID – Fresh off lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy with Spain and claiming the tournament’s Golden Ball award, elite midfielder Rodri is scheduled to touch down in Barcelona on Monday to finalize his high-profile transfer from English Premier League champion Manchester City to the Catalan La Liga side, multiple sources confirmed.
The 30-year-old star is expected to complete his mandatory medical examination this week as officials from both clubs exchange final administrative documentation to formalize the transfer agreement. An anonymous insider with direct knowledge of the deal, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to the unannounced nature of the negotiations, confirmed Barcelona has agreed to a transfer fee totaling 76.5 million euros, equal to roughly $88.5 million.
Rodri’s move to Camp Nou reunites him with several of his Spanish national team teammates, including rising star Lamine Yamal, creative midfielder Dani Olmo, young center-back Pau Cubarsí, and fan-favorite playmakers Gavi and Pedri. The World Cup winner was out of contract with Manchester City in just 12 months, leaving the Premier League side with little choice but to negotiate a sale this offseason to avoid losing him for free next year.
The transfer to Barcelona comes after a period of speculation that also linked Rodri to Spanish rival Real Madrid, who were reportedly keen on a move for the midfielder at one point. Rodri himself has publicly praised Real Madrid, Barcelona’s longstanding domestic foe, in past interviews, adding an extra layer of drama to his eventual move to the Catalan club.
Under head coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona is targeting a third consecutive La Liga title this season, and has already moved to strengthen its squad following the off-season departures of star striker Robert Lewandowski and attacking midfielder Ferran Torres – the man who scored Spain’s extra-time match-winner in the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina. To offset those exits, Barcelona already added English forward Anthony Gordon earlier in the transfer window, and Rodri’s arrival adds further elite quality to Flick’s starting lineup.
Rodri first signed for Manchester City from La Liga side Atletico Madrid back in 2019, and went on to become one of the most influential midfielders in the club’s recent history. He scored the decisive winning goal in City’s 2023 UEFA Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, which completed a historic treble for the English club. A year later, after helping Spain claim the UEFA European Championship title, Rodri won the Ballon d’Or, honoring him as the top men’s soccer player on the planet.
Rodri’s exit marks the second major midfield departure for Manchester City this offseason, following star playmaker Bernardo Silva’s transfer to Real Madrid earlier in the summer. The double exit leaves a significant gap in manager Pep Guardiola’s midfield corps that will require urgent reinforcement before the new season kicks off.
Rodri did not feature in Manchester City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the 2025 FA Community Shield on Sunday, as he continues his recovery from minor back surgery he underwent shortly after the conclusion of the World Cup. The Associated Press contributed to this report, with additional reporting from AP Sports Writers Steve Douglas and Joseph Wilson.