Barcelona are on the verge of completing one of the most audacious transfer hijacks of the summer, swooping ahead of Real Madrid to land Manchester City midfielder Rodri, according to a report by The Athletic.

For several weeks, Real Madrid appeared to be the frontrunners for the Spain captain's signature, with club president Florentino Perez reportedly identifying the 30-year-old as the final piece of his midfield puzzle following Spain's World Cup triumph.

Why the Real Madrid deal collapsed

Despite reaching a verbal agreement with Rodri over personal terms, negotiations between Real Madrid and Manchester City broke down over the transfer fee. Madrid were unwilling to meet City's £80 million valuation, particularly given that Rodri turns 31 next summer and is entering the final year of his contract. City refused to budge on their asking price, and talks stalled.

That impasse opened the door for Barcelona to make their move — and Los Cules have walked straight through it.

Barcelona's tactical appeal

Rodri is reportedly open to joining Barcelona, with the Catalan club understood to have guaranteed him a central role in their system alongside emerging talents Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal. The club also have a pressing need for midfield reinforcement following a long-term injury to Frenkie de Jong.

A deal to take the former Villarreal and Atletico Madrid star to Spotify Camp Nou is now said to be nearing completion.

Relief at Manchester City

The development will come as a relief to Manchester City. With Madrid unwilling to pay £80 million and talks having already collapsed once, City now stand to recoup their full asking price from Barcelona — a far better outcome than a protracted and ultimately failed negotiation with their original suitor.

For Real Madrid, losing their primary transfer target — and doing so to their fiercest domestic rivals — is a painful blow. It does, however, free up significant funds and strengthens their hand in other areas of the market ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Should the deal go through, Barcelona would complete a statement signing that not only bolsters their squad but delivers a pointed message to Real Madrid in the process.