Barcelona set to sign Rodri after agreeing to deal with Man City, AP source says

Two of European football’s most iconic clubs have reached a preliminary agreement for the blockbuster transfer of star midfielder Rodri, the Spain national team captain that just lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy, from English Premier League champion Manchester City to Spanish giant FC Barcelona, an anonymous source close to the negotiations confirmed to the Associated Press on Sunday. The transfer is valued at 76.5 million euros, equivalent to roughly $88.5 million. The source requested anonymity because neither side has formally made the deal’s details public, and representatives for both Manchester City and Barcelona have so far declined to issue any official statement on the impending move. The 30-year-old midfield anchor has been a core piece of Manchester City’s squad since his 2019 move from fellow La Liga side Atletico Madrid, cementing his status as the best player in his position across global men’s football over the past five years. Rodri’s trophy haul during his six-and-a-half year spell at the Etihad Stadium includes multiple Premier League titles, an FA Cup win, and the 2023 UEFA Champions League crown – a match where he scored the only goal to defeat Inter Milan in the final. That run of success continued on the international stage: he was a key member of Spain’s 2024 European Championship winning squad, which earned him the 2024 Ballon d’Or award honoring the world’s best men’s player. Most recently, he led Spain to victory at the 2025 FIFA World Cup, taking home the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player after lifting the trophy. With only 12 months remaining on his existing contract at Manchester City, Rodri’s impending exit creates a significant gap in the club’s midfield depth. It marks the second high-profile midfield departure for City this summer, following Bernardo Silva’s transfer to Spanish champions Real Madrid. Rodri was absent from City’s matchday squad for Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Arsenal, which ended in a 3-0 defeat for the reigning Premier League side. He is currently continuing his recovery from minor back surgery, which he underwent shortly after the conclusion of the World Cup in line with his existing medical plan. More updates on the transfer are expected once the formal agreement is finalized and signed off by both clubs.