Manchester City have turned down an opening bid of £38.5m (€45m) from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri, insisting they will not sanction a sale for anything less than £60m as the Spanish club push to complete a deal for the World Cup-winning captain.
The 30-year-old, who is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, has become the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer after declining to sign an extension. Barcelona have emerged as his preferred destination following the collapse of talks with Real Madrid earlier in the week, with Rodri reportedly keen to return to Spain following Pep Guardiola's departure from City.
According to reports, Rodri has already agreed personal terms with the Catalan club and met with manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco to discuss the move. Barcelona's interest has intensified following a serious knee injury to Frenkie de Jong, who is expected to be sidelined for several months, leaving a gap in Flick's midfield that the club hope Rodri can fill.
Real Madrid had been front-runners for Rodri's signature earlier in the process, with reports from Cadena Ser suggesting the Spanish giants made an