Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s opening bid for Rodri, turning down an offer worth £38.5 million as speculation over the Spain international’s future continues to dominate the summer transfer window. Although City are prepared to consider selling one of their most influential players, the Premier League giants reportedly value the midfielder at more than £60 million and are unwilling to accept anything below that figure.

The development marks a significant twist in one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer, with Barcelona now emerging ahead of Real Madrid in the race to sign the 30-year-old after receiving the player’s approval to begin negotiations with City.

Man City Turn Down Opening Bid for Rodri

Manchester City acted swiftly after Barcelona submitted their first official bid for Rodri, making it clear that the proposal fell well short of the club’s valuation.

The Catalan giants reportedly offered £38.5 million for the midfielder, whose current contract expires at the end of the season. While City are open to discussing a transfer, the club believe Rodri remains one of the finest holding midfielders in world football and expect any interested club to submit a significantly improved offer.

With only one year remaining on his contract, City recognise the financial realities of the situation, but they are equally determined not to lose a player of Rodri’s calibre for a fee they consider inadequate.

The rejection means negotiations remain ongoing, although Barcelona are expected to consider returning with an improved proposal if they remain serious about completing the transfer.

Barca Bid for Rodri Rejected as Barcelona Lead the Race

For much of the summer, Real Madrid appeared to be favourites to bring Rodri back to Spain. Their long-standing admiration for the midfielder was well documented, while reports suggested discussions between the club and the player’s representatives had progressed significantly after Spain’s World Cup triumph.

However, Barcelona have unexpectedly surged ahead in recent days after securing Rodri’s approval to negotiate with Manchester City. Club officials subsequently opened formal discussions before submitting their first offer on Friday.

Although that proposal has now been rejected, Barcelona remain actively involved in negotiations and continue working towards a deal that could bring one of Europe’s elite midfielders to Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, BBC sources indicate that Real Madrid’s negotiations have now officially ended, leaving Barcelona as the clear frontrunners should Rodri decide to leave England.

Rodri’s Future Remains Unresolved

The rejected bid for Rodri arrives during an uncertain period for both player and club.

Rodri has entered the final year of his Manchester City contract without agreeing fresh terms, naturally increasing speculation about his long-term future. While City had previously expressed confidence that he would remain at the Etihad Stadium, recent developments suggest the club are preparing for every possible outcome.

The Spanish international has endured a difficult period with injuries over the past two seasons. A serious knee injury disrupted much of the 2024/25 campaign before hamstring problems continued to affect his availability last season. More recently, he underwent back surgery and is expected to rejoin Manchester City’s squad next week after completing his rehabilitation.

Despite those setbacks, Rodri reminded the football world of his extraordinary quality during the FIFA World Cup, where he captained Spain to the title and was deservedly named Player of the Tournament.

Those performances have only strengthened interest from Europe’s biggest clubs.

Real Madrid Step Aside After Rodri’s Decision

Reports from Spanish radio network Cadena Ser suggest that Real Madrid made an enormous effort to persuade Rodri to join them.

According to those reports, discussions began shortly after Spain lifted the World Cup, with club president Florentino Perez and chief executive Jose Angel Sanchez personally involved in negotiations. Real Madrid reportedly presented what Rodri’s representatives described as an “irresistible” proposal while maintaining respectful communication throughout the process.

Despite the attractive offer, Rodri is understood to have informed Real Madrid that he intended to pursue another opportunity instead.

Following that decision, the Spanish giants chose to withdraw from negotiations rather than prolong uncertainty for all parties involved, effectively leaving Barcelona with a clearer path to securing the midfielder’s signature.

Manchester City Already Planning for Life After Rodri

The rejection of Barcelona’s opening bid for Rodri also highlights City’s careful planning.

Should the midfielder eventually depart, Pep Guardiola’s side are determined to secure a replacement before completing any sale. Their primary target is believed to be Lille’s highly rated Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, although negotiations have proven difficult.

The French club reportedly value the 18-year-old at approximately £86 million, a figure Manchester City currently consider excessive. Nevertheless, discussions remain ongoing as City continue exploring ways to strengthen their midfield should Rodri leave before the transfer window closes.

Replacing a player of Rodri’s influence will never be straightforward. Since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2019, he has become one of the defining figures of City’s most successful era, helping the club dominate English football while playing a central role in their Champions League triumph.

His intelligence, positional awareness and ability to dictate the tempo of matches have made him virtually irreplaceable within Guardiola’s tactical system.

Barcelona Face a Major Financial Challenge After Opening Bid Rejected

While the Barca bid for Rodri rejected development is undoubtedly a setback, it does not necessarily signal the end of negotiations.

Barcelona remain convinced that Rodri would strengthen their midfield immediately, particularly after his outstanding performances for Spain. However, convincing Manchester City will require a substantial improvement on their initial offer.

City’s valuation of more than £60 million represents a considerable gap from Barcelona’s opening proposal, meaning further negotiations are inevitable if the transfer is to materialise.

The financial challenge could prove particularly complicated given Barcelona’s well-documented efforts to balance spending while complying with La Liga’s financial regulations.

Transfer Saga Far From Over

Manchester City’s rejection of Barcelona’s first bid for Rodri has added another fascinating chapter to one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer. Although the opening proposal has been dismissed, Barcelona remain determined to sign the Spanish midfielder after emerging ahead of Real Madrid in the race for his signature.

With Rodri entering the final year of his contract, Manchester City seeking more than £60 million, and Barcelona expected to consider an improved offer, the Barca bid for Rodri rejected story is unlikely to be the final twist in this evolving saga. The coming days could prove decisive as both clubs continue negotiations while City simultaneously work to identify a suitable replacement should one of their most influential players ultimately return to Spain.