By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Barcelona have stepped up their efforts to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, submitting a new verbal proposal worth €60 million plus add-ons, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Romano reported that City are maintaining an €80 million valuation for the Spain international, leaving the two clubs still apart on the fee. Barcelona, however, remain confident that an agreement can be reached, with the structure of the add-ons potentially proving decisive.

The latest development represents an increase on Barcelona’s initial offer, which was reported at around €45 million and rejected by City.

The Guardian also reported that City had been seeking at least £60 million for the midfielder.

A compromise somewhere between Barcelona’s €60 million proposal and City’s €80 million asking price could therefore provide a pathway to an agreement, particularly if the Catalan club are prepared to increase the value of performance-related payments.

Rodri, 30, remains under contract with Manchester City and has established himself as one of the most influential defensive midfielders in world football.

He joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and played a central role in the club’s most successful period, including their historic treble in the 2022-23 season.

He scored the winning goal in City’s Champions League final victory over Inter Milan and was subsequently named the competition’s player of the season.

Barcelona’s pursuit of Rodri comes as the club look to strengthen their midfield with a player capable of controlling possession, providing defensive protection and dictating the tempo of matches.

The move would also represent a major financial commitment for Barcelona, who have had to navigate financial restrictions while attempting to remain competitive in the transfer market.

City, meanwhile, face a difficult decision over one of their key players. Their reported €80 million valuation reflects Rodri’s importance, but the situation is complicated by the fact that his current contract is understood to run until 2027.

Recent reports indicate that Barcelona are not the only Spanish club to have shown interest in Rodri, with Real Madrid also previously linked with a move for the midfielder.

For now, negotiations remain ongoing and no agreement has been reached.

Barcelona’s confidence suggests they believe the gap can be bridged, but City’s insistence on their valuation means the final structure of the deal — particularly the guaranteed fee and add-ons — could determine whether Rodri returns to Spain this summer.