Barcelona yet to agree fee with Manchester City over Rodri transfer

Barcelona are yet to agree a fee with Manchester City to sign Rodri as their attempts to bring in Spain’s World Cup-winning captain continues.

The Spanish champions had an initial bid of £38.4m rejected by City last week and have been considering a second offer.

But they are yet to meet City’s asking price, with the FA Cup winners thought to want around £60m to sell the Ballon d’Or winner.

Rodri has entered the last year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and is keen to return to Spain after seven years in Manchester.

Real Madrid were also interested in the former Atletico Madrid player before Barcelona emerged as the favourites to get him.

City, who have broken their transfer record to sign one midfielder this summer, after paying Nottingham Forest £116m for Elliot Anderson, are considering buying again as they may have to replace Rodri.

They are interested in Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, while Enzo Fernandez, who played for Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, has an admirer in their new manager.

World Cup champion and Golden Ball winner Rodri also underwent minor surgery on his back following the conclusion of the tournament which makes him a doubt for the start of the new season.

City boss, Maresca, is hopeful that the midfielder will see out the rest of his contract and be available for the upcoming season but City will not want to let Rodri leave for free next summer and they are willing to negotiate with Barcelona for a fair price.

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