Spain captain Rodri has arrived in Barcelona to complete his transfer from Manchester City, describing a move to the Catalan club as a dream.
The 30-year-old midfielder is expected to undergo his medical on Tuesday as Barcelona and Manchester City work to complete the final documentation for the deal. The transfer is reportedly worth €76.5 million ($88.5 million), according to a person familiar with the transaction.
Rodri briefly spoke to reporters after arriving in Barcelona and said he was delighted that the move had been resolved following several intense days of negotiations. He said playing for Barcelona had been a dream and expressed excitement about joining teammates, several of whom he already knows from the Spain national team. The midfielder is expected to become an important addition to a Barcelona side looking to strengthen its squad for another challenging domestic and European campaign.
The move comes shortly after Rodri helped Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing the country’s second World Cup title. He was also awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. At Barcelona, he will reunite with several of his international teammates, including Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi and Pedri. His experience and ability to control the midfield are expected to add significant quality to the team.
Rodri reportedly had one year remaining on his Manchester City contract, while his agreement with Barcelona is expected to run until 2030. Spanish rivals Real Madrid were also linked with the midfielder, although Barcelona ultimately moved ahead in the race. Rodri had previously spoken positively about Madrid, making the eventual move to Barcelona particularly significant given the rivalry between the two clubs.
Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and quickly became one of the central figures in the club’s midfield. He scored the decisive goal in City’s Champions League final victory over Inter Milan in 2023 and won the Ballon d’Or the following year after helping Spain win the European Championship. His departure represents another major change for City’s midfield, particularly after Bernardo Silva also left the club for Real Madrid during the offseason.
Barcelona have already made several changes to their squad under manager Hansi Flick as they look to challenge for another La Liga title. The club has brought in England forward Anthony Gordon to help compensate for the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, while defender João Cancelo is also expected to join soon. Rodri’s arrival would provide additional experience and defensive stability in midfield as Barcelona pursue success across multiple competitions.
The midfielder was absent from Manchester City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday as he continues his recovery from minor back surgery following the World Cup. His medical in Barcelona will therefore be closely watched before the transfer is formally completed. Once cleared, Rodri will begin preparations for the next stage of his career, with Barcelona expecting the World Cup-winning captain to play a key role in the club’s ambitions through the coming seasons.