For much of the summer transfer window, Real Madrid seemed to be front-runners to sign Rodri from Manchester City.
However, Frenkie de Jong’s injury prompted Barcelona to look for a new midfielder this summer, and they decided to rival Los Blancos for the 30-year-old.
Quickly, the Catalans leapfrogged their Spanish rivals to get Rodri’s green light and agree personal terms with him, while negotiations with Manchester City continue.
Now, according to Anais Marti on La Vanguardia, Barcelona’s move for Rodri came with one important condition from sporting director Deco.
The Portuguese director told Rodri that Barça would not enter a bidding war and that he would have to give clear and complete preference to the Catalan giants.
Deco refused to enter bidding war with Real Madrid
Rodri’s agent contacted Deco around ten days ago to explore whether Barcelona would be interested in signing the Manchester City midfielder.
Deco had a condition before moving for Rodri. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Barça reaffirmed their interest and commitment to sign him as long as it did not result in a bidding war with their arch-rivals.
It was an important stance given the financial commitment required to sign Rodri.
Barcelona had little interest in being used to drive up either the transfer fee or the player’s contractual demands while Madrid remained an equally attractive option.
The message was simple: if Rodri really wanted Barça, he had to prove it first.
Rodri made his Barcelona preference clear
The midfielder subsequently did exactly that. Rodri contacted Los Blancos’ sporting management to thank the club for their interest and the offer they had presented to him.
However, he also informed them that his priority was to wear the Barcelona shirt. The decision effectively provided Deco with the conviction to push forward.
Since then, Barcelona have been in negotiations with Manchester City to try to get the deal over the line, with the deal in its final stages.
Deal imminent. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Rodri’s preference to join the Blaugrana is said to be influenced by footballing decisions.
The Spain international believes Barcelona’s style is familiar to him and more closely resembles the football he has become accustomed to playing at Manchester City.
Rodri would be joining an already technically dominant midfield, and playing in a team that wants to control matches through possession would suit him perfectly.
This should make adaptation considerably easier.
Deco was very smart in taking such a stance
Deco was extremely smart in agreeing such a stance with Rodri, which has since given Barcelona the chance to negotiate with peace of mind.
Had it not been for such an arrangement, the Catalans may have been in a race against time to agree a fee with Manchester City, with Real Madrid lurking.
With every passing hour, it does increasingly look like Barça are closing in on wrapping up the deal for the 30-year-old.
It remains to be seen whether the club get the green light over the weekend and whether Rodri can be unveiled as a new Barcelona player during the Gamper Trophy against Al Ahly.