Manchester City are bracing for life without Rodri, with the Spain captain’s return to his homeland now looking more likely than not. Enzo Maresca’s side already turning their attention to who might fill the void in midfield.
Rodri, a Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup-winning captain for Spain, has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad, and the pull of home has proven difficult to resist.
There is more to the move than trophies or prestige. Going back to Spain would put him among a cluster of international team-mates, closer to his family, and — perhaps just as importantly for a player who has given his body to City for six relentless seasons.
It would hand him something he has had precious little of in Manchester: time. Time on the ball in a slower, more considered La Liga rhythm, time with those closest to him, and, in all likelihood, more time simply to rest.
Many players including Rodri are complaining about the high intensity of the Premier League and it contributes to injury and fitness situation of top players in the league.
City midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who had injury issues of his own last season, made that exact point this summer, having returned from North America with Croatia.
“When you come then to the national team and play in a World Cup, you see the pace is much slower, not so physical that every duel you have to give it everything.
“I think I was injured because a long time in the Premier League, it’s not easy to play every game 100 per cent,” he said.
City’s stance hardens over asking price
Manchester City have made their position clear throughout the saga. Despite Rodri’s wish to head to Barcelona, sources have described the Catalan club’s opening offer as “derisory,” with the Sky Blues in no rush to let their World Cup-winning midfielder go for anything below their valuation, according to TeamTalk.
Unlike several of their rivals across Europe, City are under no financial pressure to sell, and club officials have told Rodri they would be just as content for him to see out the final 12 months of his deal at the Etihad if Barcelona fail to improve their bid substantially.
That has not stopped the two parties talking. Rodri is understood to have already agreed personal terms with Barcelona, having preferred a move to the Camp Nou over any interest from Real Madrid. For now, though, the message from Manchester remains consistent: improve the offer, or Rodri stays at City.
Maresca eyes Enzo Fernandez as midfield solution
Behind the scenes, Manchester City are not simply waiting on Barcelona’s next move. Enzo Maresca, who has taken the reins at the Etihad this summer, is understood to see Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández as his “dream” signing should Rodri’s departure be confirmed, according to Sky in Italy.
It is a link that makes obvious sense: Fernández, another World Cup winner with Argentina, offers the physical profile and passing range City would want from a Rodri successor, even if replicating the Spaniard’s influence in a City shirt would be a tall order for anyone.
City had earlier played down suggestions Fernández was a serious target, insisting their priority through the early part of the window was retaining Rodri rather than sourcing a replacement. But with the fluidity of the situation, and Rodri increasingly expected to push through a move, that stance appears to be shifting.
Losing Rodri would represent one of the more significant departures of the Guardiola era’s aftermath at City. Since arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2019, he has made close to 300 appearances for the club, won four Premier League titles, a Champions League and an FA Cup, and established himself as arguably the most complete holding midfielder in world football.
Replacing that influence, whether with Fernández or otherwise, will not be straightforward for Maresca as he begins to shape his own version of this City side.
