Barcelona Intensify Rodri Pursuit as Real Madrid Hit Roadblock

Barcelona have intensified their efforts to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

City still hope the World Cup-winning Spain captain will agree to a new contract after moving into the final year of his current deal. However, the club are reportedly prepared to let him leave for around £60m. Real have held discussions with Rodri and his representatives for several weeks without reaching an agreement, giving Barcelona an opportunity to intervene.

Rodri reportedly spoke with Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco on Wednesday about a possible transfer, expressing an interest in returning to Spain. With Frenkie de Jong expected to miss several months because of a knee injury, Barcelona are likely to approach City to discuss how a fee could be structured for the 30-year-old, who received the Golden Ball as the World Cup’s outstanding player.

Real, who have agreed a club-record £115m fee for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, are also discussing a lucrative contract extension with Vinícius Júnior amid interest from Arsenal. The Spanish club may need to sell players before completing a move for Rodri. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga could depart, with Manchester United previously linked with both French midfielders.

Rodri has undergone minor back surgery and is expected to sit out most of City’s pre-season schedule. City have already recruited Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m and continue to negotiate with Lille for 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Barcelona have also encountered difficulties in their attempt to convince Atlético Madrid to part with Julián Alvarez. Following Robert Lewandowski’s exit, the Catalan club have pursued Alvarez throughout the summer, but Atlético maintain that the Argentina international will not be sold at any price. Deco travelled to the Spanish capital on Wednesday to speak with the forward’s representatives. Attention will now turn to whether the 26-year-old former City player reports for pre-season training on Monday or seeks to push through a transfer. Arsenal remain interested in signing him as well.

Ferran Torres, who netted Spain’s decisive goal against Argentina in the World Cup final, has entered the last year of his Barcelona contract and is waiting for the club to open renewal discussions. “At the moment, I only know that I am due to return to Barcelona training on 12 August. We will see what follows.” When asked what the club must do to retain him, he replied: “They need to demonstrate that they value me and begin negotiations.”