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Barcelona have stepped up their pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri after reportedly seeing an opening bid rejected, with City manager Enzo Maresca admitting that the Spain international’s future remains uncertain.
City are understood to have turned down a £38.5m ($52m) offer from Barcelona for the 30-year-old midfielder, who has one year left on his contract at the Etihad.
Barcelona could return with an improved proposal, while City are reportedly seeking about £68m for Rodri, who was named player of the tournament after helping Spain win the recent World Cup in North America.
The midfielder has been strongly linked with a return to Spain since the end of the tournament, having previously spent time at Villarreal and Atletico Madrid before joining City in 2019.
Rodri was the last City player to report for pre-season training, arriving on Friday after undergoing back surgery following Spain’s World Cup triumph.
Maresca said he had welcomed Rodri back to training but refused to rule out a departure before the transfer window closes.
“First of all, we already said the transfer window is open, we can buy and sell players, anything can happen,” Maresca told reporters ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield against Arsenal.
“I just saw Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug. He looks good, so we’ll see what happens.”
City’s reported valuation of Rodri could force Barcelona to make a significantly improved offer if they are to prise the midfielder away from the Premier League club.
Rodri has been a key figure in City’s success since his 2019 move from Atletico Madrid, winning several Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League. He also helped Spain win Euro 2024 and collected the Ballon d’Or that year.
Meanwhile, City could face another midfield departure, with Tijjani Reijnders reportedly close to joining Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah in a deal estimated at £51m. The Netherlands international joined City from AC Milan for £46.5m last year but started only half of their Premier League matches.
Maresca said Reijnders’ situation was similar to that of goalkeeper James Trafford and suggested a departure could be appropriate when the player, manager and club agree that more regular football is needed.
City have also been linked with Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as a possible replacement should Rodri leave, but Maresca played down the prospect of an immediate move.
Asked whether City could make a bid for Fernandez on Friday, he replied: “Not today to be honest, I don’t think we’re going to do something today.”
Maresca’s side will face Arsenal in the Community Shield, with the fixture providing an early test for City after Arsenal finished seven points ahead of them in last season’s Premier League title race.
