Manchester City have turned down an opening bid of £38.5m from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri, according to BBC Sport. City are willing to part with the Spain international, but will not do so for anything less than £60m.

Rodri is entering the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and has not yet agreed to an extension, fuelling intense speculation over his future throughout the summer.

Barcelona move to the front of the queue

Real Madrid had appeared the most likely destination for the 30-year-old, but La Liga rivals Barcelona have now taken the lead in the race. BBC Sport reported on Thursday that Rodri had given the Catalan club his approval to begin negotiations with City, and Barcelona made their opening offer on Friday.

Initial signals from Barca sources suggested no deal was guaranteed, yet the situation has moved quickly. The club confirmed on Friday that they are in active discussions with the player's representatives, and BBC sources say talks between Rodri and Real Madrid have now concluded without an agreement.

A Ballon d'Or winner returning to form

Rodri's 2024-25 season was heavily disrupted — a serious knee injury cost him a large portion of the campaign, while a hamstring problem had already limited him the previous year. Despite those setbacks, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner produced a magnificent summer at the World Cup, driving Spain to their second world title and earning the player of the tournament award.

He is currently sidelined following back surgery last month and is expected to return to training with his City team-mates in Manchester early next week.

City's search for a replacement

With the transfer window approaching its second week of August, City are keen to settle Rodri's situation quickly so they can pursue a successor. The club are in talks to bring in 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, though Lille's £86m asking price is proving a significant obstacle to any agreement.