“Direct talks” between Man City and Barcelona after €50m bid rejected

Man City and Barcelona are in direct talks over Rodri, who now is determined to move to back to Spain.

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Some transfer sagas drag on all summer – others come from nowhere and steal the headlines.

The future of Man City midfielder Rodri has been in question for some time, but the World Cup rather slowed down any progress on a move. Now the 30 year old is back in Manchester and ready to sort out his future – and it’s looking like there’s been a change in destination.

As a Madrileno by birth, it was assumed that if the World Cup winner were to leave City, it would be to go to Real Madrid. But the last 24 hours have seen all the top transfer sources claiming that he’s in fact decided on a move to Barcelona.

Fabrizio Romano has dropped a number of updates in the last 24 hours, and this latest one makes it clear that things are moving very quickly.

Rodri closes in on Barca move

Romano’s latest update says that negotiations between the two clubs are underway, with Barcelona already having submitted a €50m offer which City “won’t accept.”

Hansi Flick’s team are “already working on a new proposal to get the green light [from City].” There are “direct talks between officials” ongoing, rather than “formal proposals.” That should allow things to move forward pretty quickly.

The crucial line here is that “Rodri only wants Barca.”

City would like to keep their key midfield cog, but have clearly decided that it’s not worth forcing him to stay.

If Rodri does go – and all signs are that he will now – City are apparently intending to pursue Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as a replacement.