What Normal Club Needs a Player Fresh Out of Back Surgery?
Barcelona need a replacement for the injured Frenkie de Jong and have found a solution perfectly suited to their approach to risk management: Rodri, who has just begun rehabilitation after back surgery. What normal club needs a player fresh out of surgery? Barcelona. A fully fit one might have been more expensive.
Manchester City confirmed on July 28 that the 30-year-old midfielder had undergone a successful procedure after suffering persistent back pain. The club announced a “short period of rehabilitation”, although The Guardian reports that Rodri could miss most of City’s preseason. Barça have apparently decided that, since the rehabilitation has already started, half of the medical work is done.
According to Gabriel Sans of Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have opened negotiations with City and are offering €45 million plus €15 million in bonuses. The English club want around €70 million. For that price, Barça would get a world champion, a Ballon d’Or winner, one year remaining on his contract and no definite return date.
A normal club might first ask when the player will be ready to play. Barça first made sure the world knew Rodri had chosen them over Real Madrid. His fitness can be checked later. The important thing is that Madrid are already hurting — and they did not even need surgery.
