Midfielder Rodri has landed in barcelona to undergo a medical after manchester City accepted the La Liga champions’ third bid of £65.4m, the clubs and media reports say. Upon arrival at El Prat airport the Spain captain described moving to Barcelona as “a dream”.
- manchester City have reportedly accepted Barcelona’s third bid of £65.4m for Rodri.
- Rodri flew to Barcelona and called it “a dream” to play for the club; a medical was scheduled after his arrival.
- Official confirmation, contract terms and the medical outcome had not been published in the sourced reporting.
What’s confirmed so far
Reports indicate manchester City have accepted Barcelona’s third offer of £65.4m for Rodri and the 30-year-old flew to Catalonia on Monday for a medical scheduled for Tuesday. The player spoke to waiting media at Barcelona’s airport and said he was happy the situation had been resolved and that he was “excited about being with my teammates.” These details come from contemporaneous coverage of the move.
Context: why Barcelona want Rodri
Barcelona have been pursuing a senior, controlling midfielder to anchor their engine room. Rodri’s seven seasons at Manchester City included multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League victory; he also captained Spain to World Cup success. Barcelona’s reported persistence — moving from earlier offers to a higher third bid — reflects the club’s urgency to add established midfield leadership to a squad aiming to compete domestically and in Europe.
Context: why City accepted
Rodri entered the final year of his contract at Manchester City and had indicated an interest in a move to Barcelona, according to reporting. That contract situation, combined with City’s recruitment of midfield alternatives and the player’s desire for a fresh challenge, is presented as the background to City agreeing the fee rather than keeping a player they could lose on a free next summer.
Confirmed elements vs ongoing matters
- Confirmed: Manchester City accepted a £65.4m bid from Barcelona and Rodri has travelled to Barcelona for a medical (reported).
- Reported by outlets: Rodri said it was “a dream” to play for Barcelona and expressed relief the situation had been resolved.
- Not confirmed in the available reporting: final signature on a contract, official club announcements completing the transfer, any personal terms, or the length and exact financial structure of a contract with Barcelona.
Player fitness and recent form — what the reports state
Recent coverage references Rodri having undergone back surgery following the World Cup and suffering subsequent injuries that limited his appearances in Manchester City’s final season under Pep Guardiola; hamstring and groin issues were also mentioned. The reports note he returned to City’s facilities earlier in August and met the new manager Enzo Maresca. No medical outcome from the Barcelona check or specific clearance has been published in the sourced reporting.
How this fits into the wider summer market
The move, as reported, would be a significant addition for Barcelona and a notable departure for City. Manchester City have been active in midfield recruitment this window, with reported signings and interest in younger alternatives; the club were linked with Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and other midfield targets. Barcelona’s willingness to raise their offer underlines how clubs are balancing immediate squad needs with financial constraints in a busy transfer window.
Timeline of reported events
- Earlier summer: Barcelona made initial offers reportedly lower than the fee later accepted.
- Mid-August 2026: Barcelona submitted a third bid of £65.4m which City accepted (reported).
- Monday, mid-August 2026: Rodri travelled to Barcelona and spoke at El Prat airport about the move and his excitement (reported).
- Tuesday, mid-August 2026: Rodri was scheduled for a medical in Barcelona (reported). Finalisation pending medical and any formal announcements.
What comes next
Key next steps to watch for are the outcome of Rodri’s medical, an official confirmation from Barcelona and/or Manchester City detailing the transfer, and any announcement of the player’s contract terms. If the medical is passed and clubs announce the deal, expect Barcelona to name Rodri in squad communications and for City to confirm the departure and any replacement plans.
Why this matters
For Barcelona, signing Rodri would be a statement of intent in midfield, adding an experienced, international-level defensive midfielder who has operated at the highest club and international levels. For Manchester City, the transfer would mark the exit of a long-serving midfield lynchpin and underline a transitional phase as the club refreshes its options in that area.
Notes on sources and attribution
This article is based on reporting in major outlets that covered Rodri’s travel to Barcelona and Manchester City accepting a reported third bid of £65.4m. Direct quotes attributed to Rodri — including that it is “a dream to play for Barcelona” and that he was “happy that everything has been resolved” — were made at Barcelona’s El Prat airport and recorded in those reports. Contractual details, official club confirmations and the results of the medical were not available in the referenced coverage at the time of writing.
Key takeaway
Rodri has travelled to Barcelona for a medical after Manchester City reportedly accepted a £65.4m offer; his arrival and comments underline the likelihood of a transfer, but completion hinges on the medical and formal club announcements.