Rodri has arrived in Barcelona to complete his medical ahead of his transfer from Manchester City to FC Barcelona, bringing the Spain midfielder closer to the end of his seven-year spell at the Etihad.
The 30-year-old landed at Barcelona El Prat Airport after the two clubs reached an agreement worth €76.5 million.
Speaking after his arrival, Rodri said he was delighted that the transfer had finally been completed.
“I'm very happy to be here. It's been an intense few days, but I'm glad everything is sorted out.”
The midfielder described playing for Barcelona as a dream come true and said he was eager to begin working with his new teammates.
Rodri targets Champions League glory with Barcelona
Rodri immediately made Barcelona's ambitions clear after arriving in Catalonia.
The Spain international said the club would be targeting the Champions League and every major trophy available.
“We're going for the Champions League, we're going for everything that comes our way.”
His arrival gives Barcelona a world-class defensive midfielder with extensive experience at the highest level of European football.
Rodri is also familiar with several members of Barcelona's squad through the Spain national team, which could help him settle into the team quickly.
Rodri's seven-year Manchester City career
Rodri joined Manchester City in 2019 and became one of the most important players in Pep Guardiola's midfield.
During his time at City, he won four Premier League titles and scored the decisive goal in the club's 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan.
His individual achievements also include winning the Ballon d'Or in 2024, recognising his outstanding performances for club and country.
However, injuries have affected the midfielder during his more recent seasons.
An ACL injury ruled him out for much of the 2024-25 campaign, while hamstring and groin problems restricted him to 33 appearances in City's latest season.
Why did Manchester City sell Rodri?
Manchester City had been keen to keep Rodri, particularly with the midfielder entering the final year of his contract.
Barcelona initially made offers that were rejected before eventually increasing their proposal to €76.5 million.
City have now accepted the deal, leaving Guardiola's side with a significant hole in midfield.
The Premier League champions have already been exploring alternatives and are reportedly closing in on Lille youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has also been linked with the club.
What Rodri brings to Barcelona
For Barcelona, the signing addresses one of the most important areas of the team.
Rodri brings:
- Elite defensive midfield ability
- Experience in the Champions League
- Premier League-winning experience
- Ball control and passing
- Tactical intelligence
- Leadership at international level
- Familiarity with several Spain teammates
His ability to control the tempo of matches could make him a major addition to Barcelona's midfield.
If he completes his medical successfully, Barcelona are expected to formally confirm the signing, with his official presentation scheduled for Wednesday.
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