Barcelona have taken a significant step towards financing a move for Manchester City midfielder Rodri after confirming the sale of forward Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain for a reported £42.75million.
Neither club has officially disclosed the financial terms of the Torres transfer, but multiple reports indicate the LaLiga champions will use the proceeds to strengthen their pursuit of Rodri, who has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium. Torres will wear the No. 9 shirt at Parc des Princes following his switch to the French capital.
According to Sky Sports, Manchester City recently rejected a £55million bid from Barcelona for the 30-year-old Spanish international, with the Premier League side holding out for a fee in excess of £60million. The funds generated from Torres' departure now give Barcelona greater scope to meet City's demands and push the deal toward completion before the transfer window closes.
Rodri, who has been a cornerstone of Manchester City's midfield for several seasons, returned to training with the club on Friday following an extended break after the World Cup. His return was also delayed by a minor back surgery, but he has since resumed contact with the squad ahead of the new campaign.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Manchester City's fixture against Arsenal, manager Enzo Maresca addressed the uncertainty surrounding Rodri's future, acknowledging that the situation remains fluid while the transfer window stays open.
"First of all, the transfer window is open," Maresca told reporters. "We can buy players, we can sell players, anything can happen. I just saw Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug. He looks good, so we'll see what happens. Now we will have time to see each other a little bit more."
The comments suggest that while no departure has been finalized, City's hierarchy is prepared for the possibility that Rodri could leave the club this summer, particularly given the financial incentives on the table and the player's contract situation.
In anticipation of a potential exit, Manchester City have reportedly begun exploring the market for potential replacements. Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez have emerged as names of interest, according to sources close to the club, as City look to bolster their midfield options should Rodri depart before the summer transfer window shuts next month.
Rodri has been one of the most influential midfielders in European football in recent years, playing a key role in Manchester City's domestic and continental successes. His potential move to Barcelona would represent a major coup for the Catalan club, who have been seeking to add more steel and control to their midfield as they look to build on their recent LaLiga title triumph.
For Manchester City, losing a player of Rodri's caliber would represent a significant blow, but the club appears to be preparing contingency plans regardless of how the situation unfolds. With the transfer window still open, all parties involved—City, Barcelona, and Rodri himself—will be closely monitoring developments in the coming weeks as negotiations potentially intensify.
The outcome of this saga could have significant implications for both clubs' plans for the upcoming season, as Barcelona aim to reinforce their squad following their title-winning campaign, while Manchester City look to maintain their competitive edge amid potential departures.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (via Sky Sports).