FC Barcelona are not expected to sign Rodri this summer, with the club’s coaching staff and sporting management believing their squad already has enough quality and depth in midfield. According to Marca, sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick see no need to close a new midfield deal, and Frenkie de Jong’s knee injury – which is expected to sideline the Dutch international for around five months – does not change that view.
Marca, as relayed by Barca Universal, reports that two factors reinforce the club’s position beyond midfield depth: the estimated transfer fee, understood to be in the region of €70 million, is considered disproportionate for a player signed primarily to cover a temporary absence, and the widespread expectation internally is that Rodri’s preferred destination is the Bernabéu. For those reasons, Barça have no interest in entering a bidding war.
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano had noted earlier this week that Manchester City paused their negotiations with Real Madrid while waiting to see whether other clubs, including Barcelona, would submit proposals. Romano indicated that City held a feeling that the Blaugrana might be moved to act given De Jong’s injury. Club officials, however, remain confident in the current squad and do not see De Jong’s absence as a reason to make a major investment – and only a significant change in circumstances, such as another key midfielder suffering a serious injury, would force the sporting department to reconsider.
Marca’s reporting makes clear that Flick has options he trusts in midfield. Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Fermín López, and Marc Bernal are all available as internal options, while Andreas Christensen and Eric García can also operate in midfield if required, giving the coaching staff further flexibility. The coaching staff also advised Marc Casadó to seek regular minutes elsewhere ahead of the new season – a move that signals confidence in the remaining group rather than concern over its size.
Barcelona’s transfer focus remains on the attacking line. The pursuit of Julián Álvarez continues to occupy the sporting department, and defensive reinforcement carries more internal urgency than adding a holding midfielder. Committing around €70 million in transfer fee alone on a 30-year-old recovering from ACL surgery does not align with the club’s current priorities, with attacking and defensive reinforcements ranked above midfield additions.
The pattern across this transfer window has been consistent: Barcelona believe their midfield options are sufficient and do not plan to sign Rodri. With the Blaugrana stepping back, Real Madrid emerge as the most likely destination for Rodri, with Sports Illustrated FC reporting that Madrid are willing to spend north of €50 million and with the player himself having previously made no secret of his openness to a move to the Spanish capital.
