Barcelona agree $87m deal to sign Rodri from Manchester City

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Barcelona have reached a deal with Manchester City to sign Spanish World Cup winner Rodri, a source from the Catalan club told AFP on Sunday.

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The 30-year-old midfielder will move for a fee of around 75 million euros ($87 million), according to reports.

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“In the coming days, there will be a statement and (the transfer) will become official,” said the Barcelona source.

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Rodri had been linked with Real Madrid after Spain won the World Cup in July, but Barcelona pushed to sign the former Atletico Madrid star, who has played a key part in Manchester City’s success since he joined in 2019.

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The midfielder, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons but shone as Spain won their second World Cup.

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Barca’s Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong is set to miss several months through injury, encouraging the club to move for Rodri.

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The Spanish champions had two bids rejected for Rodri but eventually reached a deal with City on Sunday, with the midfielder following Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu to Camp Nou this summer.

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Rodri, Spain’s captain, was a vital figure for Pep Guardiola at City, leading them to the 2023 Champions League and four Premier League titles among 12 major trophies.

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Barca are also expected to complete a deal to sign Joao Cancelo in the coming days after they loaned him last season from Al Hilal.

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AFP

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