Barcelona have submitted a revised bid worth around €60m (£51m) to Manchester City for midfielder Rodri, edging closer to the valuation City are believed to hold for the Spain international. The offer comes after the Catalan club's opening proposal of €45m was swiftly turned down by the Premier League champions.
The new package, which reportedly includes performance-related add-ons, represents a significant step towards a deal that would take the 30-year-old back to the club where he began his senior career before joining City in 2019. Rodri, who lifted the Ballon d'Or in 2024 and captained Spain to World Cup glory, has made no secret of his desire to return to Barcelona, and his departure from the Etihad now appears increasingly likely.
With Rodri's exit looking probable, City have shifted attention to Chelsea captain Enzo Fernández as a potential replacement. The Argentina international, who was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2022, is valued by Chelsea at approximately £120m — a figure the London club appears determined to hold firm on, meaning any agreement would likely require additional incentives layered on top of the base fee.
City boss Pep Guardiola's midfield rebuild would be aided by the presence of Enzo Maresca, who worked closely with Fernández for a season and a half at Stamford Bridge before departing in January. Maresca is said to be a strong advocate for bringing the 25-year-old to the Etihad. During their time together, Fernández played a central role as Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League, won the UEFA Europa Conference League, and lifted the FIFA Club World Cup last summer.
Should City land Fernández, his arrival could pave the way for another midfielder to leave the club, with Tijjani Reijnders mentioned as a possible departure. Fernández's leadership qualities as Chelsea's captain, combined with his physical, combative playing style, are seen as attributes that would strengthen City's engine room in the wake of Rodri's expected exit.
On the Chelsea side, there are indications the club has already begun exploring the market for a potential successor to Fernández, with Bournemouth's Alex Scott reportedly under consideration as a replacement option.
City's summer recruitment has already been active elsewhere in midfield. The club completed a £116m deal for Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest and are reportedly closing in on the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for around £85m, continuing a significant overhaul of Guardiola's squad.
Elsewhere at the Etihad, City confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli on a two-year contract, arriving following James Trafford's departure to Leeds. The 34-year-old Argentine previously spent time on City's books during the 2016-17 season before returning now for a second spell.
Speaking after his move was announced, Rulli said: "My job now is to train hard, get to know the players and staff and do everything I can."
With the transfer window still active, City's business appears far from finished, as the club looks to balance the anticipated loss of Rodri with fresh additions capable of maintaining the squad's depth and competitiveness across multiple competitions this season.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.