Rodri lands in Barcelona to complete 'dream' move
August 17, 2026 22:02
Spain midfielder Rodri has arrived in Barcelona as the move from Manchester City nears completion. Barcelona have agreed to pay about £65m, with the 30-year-old expected to put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the La Liga champions.
Speaking at the airport, Rodri described playing for Barcelona as a dream, said he was eager to link up with team-mates he already knows from the national side, and expressed ambitions to challenge for the Champions League and other trophies.
KEY CONTEXT
Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then-club record fee of £62.8m and made 298 appearances across seven seasons. His time at City produced 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the 2022-23 Champions League.
He missed large parts of the 2024-25 season with a serious knee problem and had later hamstring issues, but returned to form at the World Cup this summer, captaining Spain to their second title and being named player of the tournament. He was also the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner.
City had rejected Barcelona’s initial offer of £38.5m last week. Although Real Madrid had been mentioned as a possible destination, Barcelona intensified their pursuit in recent days.
WHY IT MATTERS
Barcelona are acquiring a player who recently won the Ballon d’Or and was named the standout performer at the World Cup, bringing proven experience of winning at club level across multiple trophy-rich seasons at Manchester City. The transfer represents a significant outlay late in Rodri’s contract timeline and a high-profile midfield addition for the La Liga champions.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Rodri is expected to finalise his contract and begin integrating with Barcelona’s squad; his immediate fitness and durability will be monitored given the knee and hamstring problems noted in the last two seasons. Observers will also watch how quickly he adapts from City’s setup to Barcelona and when he makes his competitive debut for his new club.
KEY FACTS
- Fee agreed: about £65m; contract length: four years.
- Age: 30.
- 298 appearances for Manchester City after joining in 2019 from Atletico Madrid for £62.8m.
- Left City with 12 major honours, including the 2022-23 Champions League.
- 2024 Ballon d’Or winner.