Barcelona Land Rodri After Two Rejected Manchester City Bids

FC Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Rodri from Manchester City in a deal worth £65.4m. The Spain international has signed a four-year contract with the LaLiga club.

Barcelona had two earlier bids, worth £40m and £55m, rejected by City before an agreement was reached. Rodri, 30, had one year remaining on his City contract, and City wanted him to sign an extension before Barcelona’s third offer was accepted.

Rodri arrives as a Spain World Cup winner and former Ballon d’Or recipient. During his time at Manchester City, he helped the club win four Premier League titles and the Champions League.

City’s record without Rodri in the starting line-up illustrates his importance to the side. In 87 matches without him starting, City suffered 20 defeats, only one fewer than in 179 games with him in the starting team. Their win percentage fell from 71.5 per cent with him starting to 62.1 per cent without him, while their rate of defeats doubled.

Rodri also posted a farewell message to City supporters on the club’s official website, reflecting on his time at the Etihad and thanking the club, fans, staff and team-mates.

For Manchester City, the departure comes as the club pursues midfield reinforcements. City remain interested in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez despite missing the deadline to launch a bid, and are in talks with Lille over Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi.