CORNERFLICK
Despite Rodri’s agreement with Hansi Flick on personal terms regarding a return to La Liga, Manchester City are refusing to compromise. The significant gap between the two clubs over the valuation of the Spanish star has led City to reject Barcelona’s opening offer.
According to ILNA and as reported by SPORT, Manchester City are prepared to reject Barcelona’s first offer for Rodri, despite the Spanish midfielder having already reached an agreement with the Catalan club over personal terms.
Barcelona have opened official negotiations with Manchester City and remain optimistic about completing the transfer, but the Premier League champions are demanding a considerably higher fee than Barcelona’s initial offer for the player.
The Catalan club’s first proposal consists of €45 million in fixed payments plus €15 million in performance-related bonuses. However, Manchester City have set Rodri’s price at €65 million and are unwilling to let the 30-year-old midfielder leave for less than their valuation, although the club generally does not stand in the way of players who wish to leave.
**Flick’s Intervention Changes the Transfer Equation ** Rodri’s move to Barcelona gained momentum following direct intervention from Hansi Flick. The German coach is reportedly said to have spoken to Rodri by phone on Thursday, convincing him to fully commit to Barcelona’s project.
This came at a time when Real Madrid’s interest was beginning to fade due to disagreements over the transfer fee.
It subsequently became clear that Real Madrid’s interest in the transfer was not as serious as initially thought. SPORT claims that the club’s offer was only €40 million, and those close to Rodri viewed the proposal as a sign that Real Madrid lacked a genuine determination to sign the player.
As a result, Rodri has now focused all his attention on a move to Barcelona.
**Rodri’s Agent: His Decision Is to Join Barcelona ** Rodri’s agent has also spoken openly about his client’s desire to join Barcelona, confirming that this decision was also communicated to Real Madrid’s officials at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Rodri’s choice of Barcelona appears to have been driven above all by professional considerations and mutual respect. His agent has also stressed this point, saying that the player wanted to be transparent with all parties involved in the transfer situation.
Pablo Barquero, Rodri’s agent, told Spanish radio station El Larguero: “Out of respect for Real Madrid, because they treated him exceptionally well, Rodri informed them that his decision was to join Barcelona.”
The statement has effectively brought the possibility of Rodri joining Real Madrid to an end. Barcelona sporting director Deco and the club’s executives must now meet Manchester City’s financial demands if they are to prevent the transfer from slipping away.
**Barcelona’s Financial Strategy and Making Room for Rodri ** Barcelona believe that, with only 11 months remaining on Rodri’s contract, a package worth a total of €60 million would represent a fair offer.
The club’s executives are working on a strategy to convince Manchester City that reaching an agreement quickly would be in both clubs’ interests.
Barcelona’s need to sign a top-class midfielder has also increased amid Frenkie de Jong’s ongoing fitness problems, with the Dutchman potentially requiring surgery to treat his chronic injury.
At the same time, Barcelona have created significant room under their wage bill by parting ways with several high-earning players, giving them the financial flexibility needed to complete the transfer.
Now, all eyes are on negotiations between the two clubs, as Barcelona seek to bridge the gap between their €50 million offer ceiling and Manchester City’s €65 million asking price in an attempt to bring the World Cup winner back to Spain.