(foto: Getty Images)
Barcelona have reportedly entered the race to sign Manchester City star Rodri, setting up a transfer battle with Real Madrid for the Ballon d'Or winner.
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Barcelona have reportedly launched a sensational attempt to hijack Real Madrid's pursuit of Rodri, turning one of the summer's biggest transfer stories into a fierce battle between Spain's two football giants.
The Manchester City midfielder, a former Ballon d'Or winner and the player voted best at the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup, is widely expected to return to Spain after seven successful years in the Premier League.
Barcelona enter the race
For weeks, reports suggested that Real Madrid were leading the race for Rodri and had already made significant progress in negotiations.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have now officially entered the race and have opened talks with both the player and Manchester City.
City are reportedly willing to discuss a transfer, but only if Barcelona match the financial package already presented by Real Madrid.
A transfer battle between football's biggest rivals
The sudden involvement of Barcelona has dramatically changed the landscape of the negotiations.
Instead of a straightforward move to the Santiago Bernabéu, Rodri now finds himself at the center of a direct transfer battle between Spain's two biggest clubs.
Whether Barcelona have the financial resources to compete with Real Madrid remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the deal.
A return home
Rodri was born in Madrid and began his football journey at Rayo Majadahonda before continuing his development at Atlético Madrid's academy.
He later joined Villarreal, returned to Atlético in 2018 and completed a career-defining move to Manchester City a year later.
Since arriving in England, Rodri has established himself as one of the world's finest midfielders and has become an essential figure for both club and country.
He has also earned 70 caps for Spain, scoring four international goals, while playing a decisive role in Spain's triumphant World Cup campaign.
Spain awaits Rodri's decision
Everything now points toward Rodri returning to La Liga.
The only question still unanswered is whether he will wear the white shirt of Real Madrid or the famous blue and garnet colors of Barcelona.