Rodri completes €60m Barcelona move from Manchester City

Barcelona have completed the signing of Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City, bringing the midfielder back to Spain after seven seasons in England. The Guardian reported that the 30-year-old passed a medical on Tuesday and signed a four-year contract running until June 30, 2030.

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The clubs agreed an initial fee of €60 million, according to The Guardian, with a further €15 million available in add-ons. The report said €11 million of those additional payments are considered virtually guaranteed. Barcelona's third bid secured the agreement after two earlier offers were rejected.

Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in July 2019 and became a central figure during one of the most successful periods in the club's history. He won four Premier League titles with City and scored the winning goal against Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final.

The midfielder also won the 2024 Ballon d'Or. This summer, he captained Spain to the World Cup title and was named the tournament's best player, completing his return to the highest level after an earlier injury. He was entering the final year of his Manchester City contract before the move was agreed.

The Guardian reported that Rodri had offers from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Real Madrid after the World Cup. He ruled out Paris Saint-Germain because he wanted to return to Spain, while Barcelona moved to complete the deal as negotiations over his future developed.

Barcelona said Rodri is among the leading players in his position and highlighted his tactical awareness, composure, ball-winning ability and passing. He arrives three years after Sergio Busquets left the club, adding an experienced holding midfielder to a squad that already includes several of his Spain teammates.

Rodri's exit leaves Manchester City without a player who had anchored their midfield since 2019. The Guardian reported that his departure comes during a wider rebuilding of City's midfield under manager Enzo Maresca, while Barcelona have secured the Spain captain through the end of the 2029-30 season.