Barcelona set to add a ‘top-level’ midfielder as Maresca praises Rodri’s quality

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·17 August 2026

Barcelona set to add a ‘top-level’ midfielder as Maresca praises Rodri’s quality

Although the club is yet to announce it, FC Barcelona have reportedly already successfully concluded the operation for the signing of the Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez. The Spaniard is expected to cost the Blaugranes around €75 million in fixed fees and variables.

Although the Catalans were not looking to make any signings for their midfield at the start of the summer, the player’s situation presented an irresistible opportunity, and there is no doubt that he will be a very good addition to the Barcelona squad. His performances in the World Cup have dispelled any doubts about his quality that emerged after his recent physical problems.

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While his signing will certainly strengthen the Blaugrana team, Manchester City themselves will surely miss the player who has been the backbone of their team for the last seven years. In fact, as Mundo Deportivo has reported, the new City coach, Enzo Maresca, was asked whether his team missed the Spaniard as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield final.

The coach praised the Barcelona-bound midfielder as he responded to this question:

“Rodri is a player who has just won the World Cup, he is a Ballon d’Or winner… he is a top-level player and every team needs a player like him”

“It’s not about whether we missed Rodri or not. The players who were out there today… I think Elliot Anderson played well in his first game with Kovacic”

The midfield was already one of the strongest areas of the team for Barcelona last season, with Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Dani Olmo as regular starters. However, with de Jong’s injury, space opened up for another player, even though Flick had options like Marc Bernal or Marc Casado to replace the Dutchman.

But, as Maresca commented, Rodri is a top-level player, and his arrival will only strengthen this area of the team further, and provide Hansi Flick with even more options to keep his engine fresh in what is going to be another grueling season ahead.