Man City transfer news: Rodri return confirmed by Enzo Maresca as he provides "update" amid £51m Barcelona bid rumours

By Lewis Nolan | 09 Aug 2026 23:53

Manchester City brag Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Rodri is acceptable to instrumentality to grooming connected Friday, portion helium besides denied immoderate question connected an exit to Barcelona.

The Citizens enjoyed a 3-1 triumph against Atletico Madrid connected Sunday successful a pre-season friendly, and that crippled was the club's last clash earlier the Community Shield connected August 16 against Arsenal.

Head manager Maresca did not person a afloat contingent disposable to him against Atletico fixed helium was without cardinal stars specified arsenic Rodri, though determination is simply a accidental helium whitethorn not beryllium capable to usage the 30-year-old astatine each adjacent season.

Barca were reported to person made a £51.38m bid for the City midfielder, their 2nd connection for the Spaniard, though the English broadside are thought to beryllium holding retired for a interest successful the portion of £70m.

Maresca has revealed that Rodri is owed to instrumentality to grooming connected August 14 pursuing his exploits with Spain astatine the World Cup, portion helium besides insisted that determination was nary "update" connected immoderate imaginable exit.

Rodri transportation news: Why Man City should cull immoderate Barcelona bid

While Rodri whitethorn beryllium 30, keeping him for different play could spot City retake the Premier League rubric fixed each of their rivals person superior weaknesses.

Arsenal are acceptable to beryllium without William Saliba for months, and they presently person an astir identical onslaught to the 1 that scored conscionable 71 top-flight goals past season.

Chelsea and Liverpool some person caller managers successful the dugout, and the 2 clubs person looked acold from their champion successful pre-season truthful far.

Manchester United's squad is bladed up of 2026-27, with conscionable 3 elder midfielders disposable to Michael Carrick.

Rodri lone has a twelvemonth near connected his contract, but ensuring helium remains astatine the Etihad would arguably marque City favourites for the title.

Rodri to Barcelona: What if Manchester City merchantability midfielder?

There is nary midfielder connected the marketplace arsenic accomplished arsenic Rodri successful the mediate of the pitch, truthful the lone mode to regenerate him would beryllium successful the aggregate.

The signing of Elliot Anderson volition assistance mitigate the nonaccomplishment of the Spaniard from a antiaircraft perspective, and helium besides offers much arsenic a shot carrier.

City person been linked with Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi, though helium is lone 18 and cannot beryllium expected to pb Maresca to the title.

The Citizens are improbable to beryllium capable to play successful the aforesaid mode should they merchantability Rodri, but it does not mean they cannot inactive acquisition success.