Barcelona ‘to step up’ pursuit of Rodri as Madrid-City talks falter | OneFootball

Barcelona are intensifying their pursuit of Rodri after talks between Real Madrid and Manchester City hit an impasse, according to SPORT. The Spain captain has emerged as a target as negotiations between the clubs are described as virtually broken.

The stand-off centres on price. With a year left on his deal, City want around 65 million euros, a figure Madrid are unwilling to meet. Madrid are focused on completing Diomande’s arrival and formalising Vinícius JR’s renewal.

Despite Rodri’s desire to return to Spain and a four-year agreement being in place, the move is on hold. That has opened the door for Barcelona to move.

If Barcelona can convince the recent World Cup MVP, he would join Pedri, Gavi, Fermín and Dani Olmo in a star-studded midfield. Reinforcing the pivot is pressing, with Frenkie De Jong sidelined again and Casadó and Bernal potentially departing this summer.

City would accept keeping the 30-year-old for another season and would not obstruct an exit. He is currently recovering from herniated disc surgery undertaken after lifting the World Cup. The club have already explored replacements, showing strong interest in Moroccan prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Source: Superdeporte

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”