Rodri transfer saga: Join Barcelona, Real Madrid? Man City stay?

Aug 10, 2026, 03:58 AM ET

After Rodri led Spain to FIFA World Cup glory, it's no surprise that LaLiga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid both want to sign the Manchester City midfielder this summer.

Not only did the 30-year-old captain La Roja to victory over Lionel Messi's Argentina in the World Cup final -- adding another trophy to the UEFA European Championship that Spain won two years ago -- he also claimed the Golden Ball award as the best player at the tournament.

Rodri has won 13 trophies in his seven years at City, including four Premier League titles, and he scored the winning goal in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League final. The following year, he won the Ballon d'Or, cementing his status as one of the best midfielders in the world.

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After spending time in the youth systems at Villarreal and Atlético Madrid, Rodri made more than 120 senior appearances for those two clubs before moving to City in 2019.

Now as a national hero in his homeland and with one year remaining on his contract at City, a return to LaLiga looks likely for Rodri. But where? And could he yet remain in Manchester for one more year -- or even longer?

ESPN's correspondents in Barcelona (Sam Marsden), Madrid (Alex Kirkland and Rodra) and Manchester (Rob Dawson) give us the latest on the situation and look at what might happen next. -- Tony Mabert

Where would Rodri fit in at Barcelona?

Barcelona

Rodri has long been thought of as the ideal long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets, who left Barcelona to join Messi at Inter Miami CF in 2023 before retiring last year, but the Spanish champions had not gone into this summer thinking they were going to sign Rodri.

However, as it became increasingly apparent a deal for the Spain midfielder was doable, coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco grew increasingly excited about the possibility of landing him.

Things accelerated last week when Barça, who had been drawn into the market for a new midfielder following an injury to Frenkie de Jong, learned that Rodri would prioritize them over Madrid. His desire to return to Spain at some point had become increasingly obvious, but it was always imagined that it would happen with Madrid. Yet after winning the World Cup alongside eight Barcelona players, being attracted by Flick's style of play and receiving advice from a cohort of Catalans who have worked at City over the past decade, his head turned in Barça's direction.

With club sources confirming a loose agreement over personal terms is in place with Rodri, there is now increasing confidence that Barça will sign the former Villarreal and Atlético player. The remaining hurdle is to strike a deal with City. After having a first offer rejected, club sources added that negotiations over the final package -- which could reach €70 million -- are ongoing.

Things can, of course, change quickly. But at the moment, there is a firm belief that Rodri will bolster a midfield already packed with talent in Pedri, Gavi, Marc Bernal, Fermín López and Dani Olmo. What it will mean for De Jong when he returns from injury is the next big question. But people at the club believe the signing of Rodri -- prioritized over a center back (although signing a defender is still not completely ruled out) -- will take Flick's team to the next level in Europe, where they are desperate to translate back-to-back LaLiga titles into a first Champions League trophy since 2015. -- Sam Marsden

Real Madrid

Madrid have been on quite a journey with Rodri, one which took an unexpected, sudden detour away from the Bernabéu and toward Barcelona last week.

For months, club sources had insisted that Spain's captain wasn't on the agenda as a possible signing this summer. That's despite him fitting the bill in so many ways: the world's best in his position, with a year left on his contract, Madrid-born and a solution to so many of the team's problems.

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez had doubts over Rodri's injury record, sources said, while coach José Mourinho favored signing a different profile. The Man City fulcrum wasn't on Madrid's short list for midfield signings, while renewing Aurélien Tchouaméni's contract was a vote of confidence for the in-house option.

But Rodri's outstanding World Cup -- dispelling any doubts over form and fitness -- forced a change of opinion at the Bernabéu. Director general José Ángel Sánchez and chief scout Juni Calafat were now open to bringing him in, sources told ESPN last month.

From there, confidence grew. By late July, some club sources were optimistic about his signing. Rodri was keen to return home, but sources told ESPN that City wanted to bring another midfielder in first. There was no agreement on a fee with the Premier League club, either.

Then for days, there was no news. Madrid were busy elsewhere, negotiating for Yan Diomande and discussing Vinícius Júnior's contract renewal. Madrid remained calm, sources said. Rodri wanted to come, and the club believed it would happen in time.

Out of the blue on Wednesday night, that changed. Barcelona were interested, sources said. And not just that: Some claimed it was now 50-50 between Madrid and Barça. Rodri was open to both options.

A day later, the situation was even worse: Madrid believed they were out of the race. Some sources said Rodri felt their doubts about him had never entirely gone away, including Mourinho's; by contrast, Flick had called the player directly to explain his vision.

Madrid were willing to make one last push, sources said, but they believed it might be too late. The player's mind was made up, sources said, and his camp were disappointed with Madrid's failure to wrap up a deal.

Barring another, unexpected twist, Rodri is no longer an option for Madrid. They must decide whether to pursue an alternative -- we don't yet know who that might be -- or stick with what they've got, with some reports claiming Mourinho has Bernardo Silva earmarked for a central midfield role alongside Tchouaméni or Federico Valverde. -- Alex Kirkland and Rodra

Nicol: It's time for Rodri to leave Man City

Manchester City

Publicly, Manchester City's stance -- relayed by manager Enzo Maresca -- is pretty simple: Rodri is a key player, and they would like him to stay and sign a new contract.

Privately, however, it's a little more complicated.

City have known for a long time of Rodri's desire to one day return to Spain. It was part of their motivation to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United in 2022, although that move never worked out.

City have made a point over the years of never keeping hold of a player who wants to leave. On top of that, Rodri's age, recent injury record and contract situation are all factors. Out of contract next summer, he could leave the Etihad Stadium for free in 12 months' time.

If Barcelona or Real Madrid come back with an offer of more than €70 million, then it's likely City would come to the negotiating table. City won't sanction a cut-price move, and they also have to think about who could possibly come in as a replacement. With continuing doubts about the futures of Tijjani Reijnders and Nico González, City's midfield might need a lot of work before the transfer deadline.

Elliot Anderson has arrived from Nottingham Forest, and talks are ongoing with Lille over a move for Morocco's breakout World Cup star Ayyoub Bouaddi, but they would need more if Rodri goes. One thing is certain: City won't want to leave Maresca short of numbers and quality in a key area of the pitch ahead of season that is already going to be a tough transition after 10 years under Pep Guardiola.

At the moment, City are relatively relaxed. They have yet to receive an offer that they deem acceptable, so all they can do for now is wait. Checks are already being made of potential targets in the event that Rodri leaves. There's a growing sense at the Etihad that he probably will depart, but it's down to Barcelona or Real Madrid to come up with the money. -- Rob Dawson

Reporting from ESPN contributed to this story.