Third Bid for Rodri. Barça Still Below City’S Valuation

Barcelona are not giving up on Rodri and are preparing to return to the negotiating table for a third time. The problem is that, according to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, the new offer is expected to be worth around £60 million, while Manchester City continue to demand £70 million. So the talks are moving forward — Barça are simply checking whether the price tag might eventually get tired and fall off by itself.

The first two proposals also fell well short of City’s expectations, with one of them reportedly viewed in Manchester as almost unserious. Despite that, City are not completely closing the door on Rodri’s departure. The club are prepared to take into account his wish to return to Spain, but apparently sentiment ends exactly where the missing £10 million begins.

Rodri’s situation is also starting to affect City’s other transfer plans. The English club are working on a deal for Enzo Fernández, with Chelsea demanding as much as £120 million, but a full push for the Argentine is expected to depend on Rodri’s future being resolved first. One transfer is now waiting behind another, while Barcelona are standing at the front of the queue with another attempt to knock the price down.

For now, the gap is simple: Barça are preparing around £60 million, City want £70 million. If Barcelona are really as convinced as reports in Catalonia suggest that Rodri will eventually arrive, someone will have to make the final move. Judging by City’s position so far, it probably will not be Manchester City.