Manchester City has accepted FC Barcelona's transfer offer for captain and star midfielder Rodri.
Getty ImagesManchester City has accepted FC Barcelona’s third transfer offer for captain and star midfielder Rodri according to Fabrizio Roman.
Rodri is expected to travel to Barcelona in the coming days to complete a medical then sign on the dotted line ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy match.
The development caps off a whirlwind transfer saga, which began on Thursday morning last week.
That’s when reports spread of talks breaking down between City and Real Madrid, as per a potential switch to the Bernabeu for the Spain skipper.
Barça then gained traction in the hunt for the 30-year-old voted the Best Player at the World Cup, when leading Spain to its second victory in the FIFA flagship tournament.
A phone call from the Catalans’ head coach Hansi Flick played a big part in convincing Rodri of the sporting project at the Spotify Camp Nou. He then swiftly gave his ‘OK’, to what will be one of the club’s biggest transfers of the 21st century in terms of stature.
On Spanish radio, Rodri’s agent confirmed that his client preferred a move to Barcelona over Real Madrid, who had made the former Ballon d’Or holder a reasonable personal offer.
Barça and City then began negotiations after Rodri agreed personal terms. Barça’s initial bid of $52 million (€45 million) was knocked back, and RAC1 later claimed that a €50 million deal had been agreed.
Many sources in Catalonia and England said that wasn’t true, which it has proven not be be.
After two knocked back bids, though, one of Barça’s biggest transfers of the 21st century finally appears to be happening.
Rodri will take FC Barcelona’s midfield to a new dimension
Though it is an area of the pitch where Barça is traditionally stacked and never short of talent, the midfield now takes a massive step up in quality with Rodri pulling the strings.
The increased control Rodri will bring helps Barça take a step forward in the Champions League. It’s a competition he’s already won at City in 2023, though his new club is yet to bring it home in 11 years after semifinals and quarterfinals exits in two attempts under Flick.
Rodri will also allow FC Barcelona to press higher in attack. Furthermore, Flick’s famous defensive high line is given added protection as young prospects such as Lamine Yamal and Marc Bernal receive the perfect mentor.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com