Barça got one over on Real. Now it must show it can pay

Barcelona can already celebrate its first victory: Rodri prefers Barça over Real Madrid. Los Blancos were told no, the Catalan media lit the fireworks and, for a moment, Barça looked like a transfer powerhouse. The only problem is that a player’s preference is not a bank transfer.

According to Gabriel Sans of Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have opened negotiations with Manchester City after receiving the green light from Rodri. Cadena SER reports that Barça’s opening proposal is worth €45 million plus another €15 million in bonuses. City, however, expect around £60 million — nearly €70 million. This is where prestige ends and the invoice begins.

The 30-year-old’s contract expires in 2027 and he has no intention of renewing it, which gives Barcelona some leverage. City still do not want to sell their leader, and they are unlikely to accept Barça’s media victory over Real Madrid as a down payment.

Barça have shown the world they can convince a player more effectively than Madrid. Lovely. Now they must convince Manchester City that, alongside the project, the playing style and a phone call from Flick, they also have the money. Otherwise, Rodri will become the biggest transfer battle Barcelona ever won without actually signing the player.