Manchester City have identified Barcelona teenager Marc Bernal as a potential long-term successor to Rodri. However, the scale of the challenge facing any suitor for the highly-rated Spaniard has been laid bare by reports emerging from Catalonia this week.
According to a report carried by Caught Offside, City’s recruitment department views Bernal as a natural fit for the base of Enzo Maresca’s midfield. The 18-year-old is prized for his physical maturity, his composure on the ball and his ability to receive possession under pressure in tight areas — attributes that have long defined Rodri’s influence at the Etihad.
The interest reflects a broader shift in how City are approaching squad planning under Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola as head coach. The City boss has been keen to build a midfield structure capable of controlling matches in the way City fans have grown accustomed to over the past decade.
Rodri, now 30, remains Manchester City‘s first-choice defensive midfielder, but with his long-term future eventually needing addressing, scouting missions of this kind are seen internally as sensible rather than urgent.
Barcelona’s stance leaves little room for negotiation
Any optimism among City supporters, however, is likely to be tempered by the practical realities of pursuing Bernal.
The player is contracted to Barcelona until 2029, and the Spanish champions have inserted a release clause reported to be in the region of €500m into his deal. The figure puts him firmly out of reach for now, regardless of which club comes calling.
More significant still is Barcelona’s stated unwillingness to sell at all. Sources close to the situation say the Catalan club have no intention of entertaining offers for Bernal, who has emerged as one of the most promising products of La Masia in recent years.
There is currently no indication that the Spanish club are prepared to open talks over his future, effectively ruling out any transfer in the near term.
Adding weight to that position is the player’s own outlook. Bernal is understood to have no interest in leaving Camp Nou at this stage of his career, having established himself as a first-team option under Hansi Flick.
Manchester United reportedly attempted to involve him in discussions during their pursuit of a separate deal earlier this year, only to be turned away almost immediately — a sign of how firmly Barcelona are holding their line.
City not alone in admiring midfielder
City are far from the only Premier League club monitoring Bernal’s progress.
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been credited with scouting the midfielder, underlining the growing reputation he has built for himself in Spanish football over the past 18 months. That level of interest speaks to his talent, though it does little to change the practicalities of any potential deal.
For now, the situation looks set to remain a watching brief rather than an active pursuit. City’s approach to succession planning has generally involved identifying targets early and tracking their development over time, and Bernal appears to fit that pattern.
Whether that patience eventually translates into a genuine opportunity will likely depend on factors outside City’s control, including Bernal’s own trajectory at Barcelona and any shift in the club’s willingness to negotiate.
