Football insider Fabrizio Romano reveals Barcelona has contacted Rodri and Manchester City, while Real Madrid has been negotiating for weeks. The final say will rest with the Spanish midfielder.
The race for one of the world's best midfielders has taken a dramatic turn. According to the most renowned football insider, Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona has joined the fight for Manchester City's Rodri, previously considered a top target for Real Madrid.
On his official Telegram channel on August 6, 2026, Romano reported that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are prepared to offer a similar fee to the English club. The key message: "The decision rests solely with the midfielder."
Barcelona has already reached out to Rodri's camp and Manchester City, positioning itself as a serious contender. Real Madrid has been in talks with the player and the club for weeks, but Manchester City deliberately has not finalized an agreement with the Merengues. They believed Barcelona could enter the race, which has now happened.
"Man City believes BARCELONA could enter the race for RODRI! That's why Man City is not yet finalizing the deal to send Rodri to Real Madrid, because they believe Barcelona could also be at the table. Now it's up to Rodri himself to tell Man City," Romano reported on platform X.
Real Madrid's interest is not new. Earlier, renowned journalist David Ornstein reported that the Madrid club's hierarchy had reassessed their stance and are now determined to bring in the Spanish international, despite initially dismissing that option at the start of the summer transfer window. Following the World Cup, where Rodri captained Spain to the title and won the tournament's best player award, optimism within the club has grown further.
Rodri's contract with Manchester City expires in a year, and talks over a new deal have made no progress. The Spaniard has previously mentioned his desire to return to his homeland before the end of his career, which only fuels speculation about a potential departure. Now, it seems the decision is his: Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The English club is already considering a scenario without their key midfielder. Earlier, Romano reported that City is actively working on bringing in Moroccan youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. Estimates suggest the transfer could cost between €70 and €80 million. Whether the deal is struck this summer or next year will largely depend on Rodri's decision.
