Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s opening bid of around €45 million for Rodri, with the Premier League champions understood to be seeking a fee closer to €75 million for the Spanish midfielder.
Direct negotiations between the two clubs are now underway, with officials discussing the structure and value of a potential deal rather than exchanging formal proposals at this stage.
Barcelona are expected to return with an improved offer and remain optimistic about reaching an agreement. Rodri has made his preference clear and only wants to join Barça, while personal terms have already been agreed with the Catalan club.
Softfootball previously reported that Barcelona’s first proposal consisted of a €45 million guaranteed fee, payable in three instalments, plus €7 million in easily achievable bonuses and a further €3 million in difficult-to-achieve add-ons.
The overall package could exceed €55 million, but Manchester City have rejected the proposal and are pushing for a figure closer to €75 million.
Rodri is determined to make the move to Barcelona after seven highly successful years at Manchester City, and with personal terms already settled, negotiations are now focused on reaching an agreement between the two clubs.
