Manchester City have rejected Barcelona's opening offer for Rodri and will not sanction a cut-price sale, holding out for more than £60m for a midfielder who has entered the final year of his contract. The bid, made on Friday, was worth £38.5m, around €45m. It was considered far too low at the Etihad Stadium, and talks halted.
Barcelona have not gone away. They are reported in Spain to have returned with an increased offer of £51.4m, still some way short of a valuation City put at more than €70m. An agreement is not close, but talks between the clubs are continuing with the aim of reaching one, and Barcelona remain confident City will soften their stance on a player who is set to become a free agent next summer.
Why Barcelona need him
Barcelona entered the race in earnest on Thursday, having reached agreement with the player, leaving City as the only remaining hurdle. The Spanish champions will be without Frenkie de Jong for several months after he suffered a tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, and have targeted Rodri as the replacement. Rodri spoke to Hansi Flick and the sporting director, Deco, about the move on Wednesday, and has agreed personal terms.