Rodri has decided — if he leaves Manchester City this summer, he is expected to join Barcelona instead of Real Madrid. The shift in his preference has transformed the landscape, as Madrid's initial advantage has vanished with the midfielder now firmly stating his preference.
Real Madrid's lost opportunity
Their slow decision-making and lack of urgency have allowed Barcelona to enter the race. Reports suggest Madrid's hesitation — based on the belief they faced no real competition for Rodri — caused the player to reconsider his future and seriously explore other options.
At this point, Rodri seems committed to joining Barcelona. Direct conversations with Hansi Flick and talks with Spanish national team teammates have strengthened his belief. Real Madrid, meanwhile, appears ready to accept the shift in Rodri's preference. The club typically follows a clear approach in such cases — if a player needs significant persuasion to join, Madrid often chooses to focus on other targets.
Real Madrid approached Rodri with an offer described as "irrechazable" — irresistible or too good to refuse — just days after he won the World Cup with Spain. Madrid started talks with the player and put "everything on the table" with an approach described as having "education, manners, and dignity." Madrid's financial proposal to Rodri was considerable, but it wasn't enough to convince him to choose the Bernabéu. The club's decision to delay key discussions and wait for a better opportunity ultimately backfired. Sources close to Madrid suggest that some board members were genuinely impressed by Rodri's abilities — his control of play, leadership, and tactical awareness — but there was never full confidence he would choose Madrid over his preferred destination.
Florentino Pérez, specifically, is said to have been cautious about signing a player with a known injury history and a career near its peak. His hesitation to act quickly and decisively was seen by Rodri and his team as a lack of true interest. For various reasons, Pérez resisted the idea initially, before deciding he did in fact want Spain's World Cup hero to wear white after his country won the World Cup with zero Real Madrid players in the squad. "From the president, to the general director, to the staff, everyone worked so that Rodri could play for Real Madrid," the report says. "But Rodri has taken the decision to choose another offer. And today, he communicated that to Real Madrid."
Why Barcelona suits Rodri better
Rodri prefers Barcelona primarily because of the club's playing style. Having spent most of his prime under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Rodri has grown accustomed to a system focused on possession, tempo, and smart movement. While Flick's Barcelona has its own identity, the core possession principles are similar enough to make Rodri feel the fit is natural.
His role as the deepest midfielder at City involves much more than just defensive duties — he organizes the buildup, controls the rhythm of games, and positions himself as an outlet during transitions. At Barcelona, he would likely continue in a similar role, offering the leadership and composure the club needs in central midfield.
Personal connections and relationships also influence Rodri's choice. He has built strong ties with several Barcelona players through the Spanish national team, and these relationships reportedly make him more comfortable and connected to the club. His familiarity with Barcelona's methods, plus his history with Guardiola, further reinforce his decision.
Barcelona bided its time
Barcelona had been watching closely without rushing in, recognizing that Madrid initially seemed to have the advantage. As Madrid's talks with Rodri stalled, Barcelona saw an opportunity to step in. Now that Rodri has given the go-ahead for Barcelona to approach Manchester City, the club is ready to begin formal negotiations for a potential transfer.
Barcelona had remained distant in recent weeks, waiting for the right time to act. With Madrid losing ground in the talks, Barcelona seized the moment to position itself as the main contender.
Spanish reports estimate the potential fee at around €60 million, with Barcelona prepared to offer Rodri a four-year contract valued at about €30 million gross annually. That would be a significant financial move for a 30-year-old midfielder, but Rodri's contract situation gives Barcelona some room to negotiate.
Until now, Barcelona had not submitted an offer to Rodri or Manchester City. With the player now allowing them to proceed, they can start discussions with City Football Group CEO Ferran Soriano to determine what a transfer would entail. This is expected to involve detailed talks about the terms of the move, as well as Rodri's personal terms, including his contract length and salary.
Such a move would represent a major financial commitment for Barcelona, but with the chance to sign one of the top midfielders in world football, the club believes it has the necessary resources and leverage to finalize the deal.
Barcelona appear to be on the verge of completing the biggest coup of the summer as they are closing in on signing Rodri. The Manchester City midfielder has reportedly agreed to a move to Catalonia, as he looks to finally return to Spain after a fantastic spell at the Etihad. This is a massive coup for the Catalans considering the fact that Rodri was very close to joining Real Madrid.
Barcelona looking to close the deal fast The Rodri deal is just around the corner. A recent report from Fabzirio Romano has offered crucial updates on the Rodri saga, adding that Barcelona are keen on closing the deal as fast as possible. According to the transfer expert, Barcelona want to move quickly for one key reason: to avoid any last-minute surprises. The club have been working behind the scenes on the deal for some time, and are now eager to push it over the line without complications. To that end, Barcelona have already sent their contract proposal to Rodri and his agent, while also making contact with Manchester City to inform them that talks with the player are underway.
Everyone involved at Barcelona Romano also highlights just how much work has gone into the pursuit, with the entire hierarchy playing a part. Rodri is set to snub Real Madrid in favour of a Barcelona switch. Rodri has spoken to both Joan Laporta and Deco, with the sporting director said to have done an incredible job in getting the doors open for the deal. The midfielder has also held conversations with Hansi Flick, meaning the player, coach and directors are all fully engaged in trying to make the move happen. Crucially, Rodri has given Barcelona the green light to negotiate, opening the door to the Catalans for the very first time.
What are Barcelona waiting for? The next step now rests with Rodri himself. Barcelona are waiting for the player to formally communicate his decision to Manchester City, at which point they can advance and finalise the club-to-club aspect of the deal. Interestingly, City's patience last week may have played into Barcelona's hands. That gamble has now seen Barcelona enter the picture, with Los Blancos suddenly viewing Rodri as far away. For Barcelona, landing Rodri would be a stunning statement, and something that seemed almost unthinkable just a few weeks ago.
Real Madrid accept Rodri's decision In one of the most recent conversations between the club and the player, Rodri informed Real Madrid's hierarchy that he had decided to choose Barcelona. Despite reports suggesting that Mourinho was furious about the deal collapsing, the response inside Valdebebas has been one of acceptance rather than frustration. Rodri has chosen Barcelona.
Club officials are convinced that the decision was driven entirely by the player's own wishes and not by external factors. That is the message coming from within the club, where there is an understanding that Rodri has simply chosen the project he believes suits him best.
No hard feelings despite a strong offer Real Madrid believe they put an excellent proposal on the table. There was genuine interest in signing Rodri and the offer reflected that commitment, but they now accept that it will not happen. The player's camp, meanwhile, have been keen to highlight the professionalism shown by Real Madrid and club president Florentino Perez throughout the negotiations, describing their conduct during the process as exemplary. Now, having missed out on their priority target, Real Madrid do not intend to enter the market for a new midfielder and instead rely on their existing options.
While Barcelona have reportedly agreed on personal terms with the player, no deal has been agreed yet with Manchester City. Until that happens, no signing can occur.