Manchester City manager breaks silence on Rodri’s future as Barcelona accelerate efforts: ‘For the time being…’ | OneFootball

Rodri’s future continues to dominate the Barcelona transfer news, with Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca providing a fresh update on the midfielder after his side’s 3-1 friendly win over Atletico Madrid in South Korea.

It is known that Barcelona are working to complete a deal for the Spain international. 

At the same time, Manchester City remain reluctant to let one of their most important players leave without securing the right financial package.

Notably, Maresca was asked about Rodri’s situation after Sunday’s match, with the Italian making it clear that, for now, he still expects the midfielder to return to Manchester.

Maresca expects Rodri back at Manchester City

Despite the ongoing talks with Barcelona, Maresca suggested that Rodri remains part of his immediate plans at Manchester City.

Speaking after the victory over Atletico Madrid, the City boss was quoted by Mundo Deportivo as saying, “For the time being, we’re expecting him in Manchester on Wednesday.”

Enzo Maresca is expecting Rodri to report for training. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

That expectation comes despite Rodri originally being scheduled to report on August 14. 

The midfielder’s potential move to Barcelona has therefore created an interesting situation, with City preparing for his return while negotiations over his future continue in the background.

Rodri remains a hugely important figure for Manchester City, and Maresca knows exactly what his departure would mean for the squad. 

At the same time, Manchester City are already understood to be preparing for the possibility that Rodri will leave. 

The club’s position is clear: if Barcelona want to take the midfielder away from the Etihad Stadium, they will need to meet City’s demands.

Barcelona step up efforts to sign Rodri

Barcelona have been pushing to accelerate the Rodri transfer in recent days, with Hansi Flick particularly keen to have the midfielder available as soon as possible.

Barcelona are working hard to sign Rodri from Manchester City. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

The German’s preference is for Rodri to join the squad on August 12 and begin training without delay. 

That would give Flick valuable time to integrate one of the most experienced midfielders in world football into his system.

The Catalan club has also used the weekend to make further progress in negotiations, with Barcelona submitting a second offer for the Manchester City midfielder.

However, an agreement has not yet been reached.

Manchester City are demanding around €80 million for Rodri, a figure that Barcelona will have to consider carefully.

The talks have nevertheless moved forward, and there is now a growing sense that the Rodri to Barcelona operation could enter its decisive phase in the coming days.