Barcelona have made a shock move to try to sign Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City.

The 30-year-old has less than 12 months left on his contract at the Etihad and has been targeted by Real Madrid this summer with president Florentino Perez performing a u-turn after previously suggesting the club were not interested in the former Atletico Madrid midfielder.

But with no sign of a deal being struck, it has allowed Madrid’s La Liga rivals Barcelona to make their move.

De Jong injury complicates matters for Barcelona

Rodri would fit in perfectly at Camp Nou given Barca’s style of play is similar to that employed by both City and Spain. He won the 2024 Ballon d’Or and was awarded the Golden Ball for best player at the 2026 World Cup after leading Spain to the title.

Barca are exploring the possibility of bringing him to Catalonia due to doubts over the fitness of Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

De Jong suffered a tear of the MCL in his right knee at the World Cup but opted against surgery, preferring a ‘conservative method of treatment’, albeit that may change depending on his progress.

If an operation is required then De Jong would be sidelined for several months, leaving Barca a man light in a key position.

Where does this leave Real Madrid?

Madrid opened talks with City last week but transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said no agreement was reached due to City’s belief that other clubs would enter the race and therefore ramp up the price.

Madrid, now under the returning Jose Mourinho, are looking to bolster their squad after two seasons without a major trophy. One contributing factor has been the lack of experience in midfield following the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Rodri would provide that after proving at the World Cup he was back to his best after struggling to regain top form following a cruciate ligament injury in September 2024.

City have been attempting to persuade him to sign a new deal but the offer has been left on the table for several months and it seems the Etihad club have accepted the player wishes to move on.

What has Rodri said about a possible move back to Spain?

Rodri, who is currently recovering from a minor back operation, has flirted with the idea of moving back to his homeland for several months, saying in March: “Having played for Atlético [in 2018-19] before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid. There are other players who have done that before. Maybe not direct transfers, but eventually. You can’t turn down one of the world’s best clubs.”

His departure would be a major blow to new City boss Enzo Maresca.

Speaking in his first press conference as City boss last month, Maresca expressed calm over the speculation.

“First of all, we have to say that around big players there is always speculation,” Maresca said.

“So I’m not worried about that, it’s normal, also because they [Spain] won the World Cup – he is one of the best players. 

“I think every manager wants to have Rodri, because he’s a top player. 

“But now, surgery [on a back problem] on Monday, and then he needs holiday, he needs to rest, recovery, and then he will be back here with us.”