Rodri transfer news: Barcelona target Man City and Spain star wanted by Real Madrid

Barcelona are hopeful they can beat Real Madrid to the signing of Man City midfielder Rodri this summer, Sky Sports News understands. 

The Spain World Cup winner is wanted by both LaLiga clubs and has entered the final year of his contract at City.

Barcelona are believed to have received encouragement they stand a good chance of signing the midfielder should Rodri move in this window.

However, City do not want to sell their key player. They are hoping he will agree to a new long-term contract at the Etihad and lead the team into a new era under Enzo Maresca.

Rodri had successful back surgery after the World Cup and is currently recovering. He is expected to miss the Community Shield game against Arsenal and the opening Premier League fixture of the season as a result.

Real Madrid are believed to be willing to pay in the region of £43m-£51m (€50m-€60m) for the Spain captain.

Upon his re-election as Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez was criticised for the club having a lack of representation in the Spain national team at the World Cup this summer.

They signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea as the tournament got under way, and everyone at the club are believed to be on board with a move for Rodri next.

Carra: Don't sell Rodri for £40-50m!

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:

"£40-50m? If you're Manchester City, what's the point in selling them? You might as well just keep them for the extra year.

"He's as good as anybody in that position in the Premier League, probably the best. Seeing what he was like in the World Cup, it was like he was back to his best.

"I thought the second half of the season him and Bernardo Silva were fantastic and almost took Manchester City to the title.

"So, if I was the manager of Manchester City, I'd be keeping Rodri at that price. It'd have to be something really special to want me to lose arguably the best midfield player in world football.

"I think it'd be really tough for them to win the Premier League without Rodri, even though they've got a lot of midfielders. He's the best, even though they've brought Elliot Anderson, who is one who I'm sure will learn off Rodri.

"And for me, I'd see those two as a pair. I see Elliot Anderson as almost the replacement for Bernardo Silva, who's gone to Real Madrid. So, I think that'd be a big hole. It'd be really difficult to fill.

"When Liverpool won the title under Arne Slot, Rodri got an injury in that season very early on, which helped Liverpool and was to the detriment of Manchester City. So if I was Manchester City, I'd be keeping him and letting him go on a free.

"City paid £60m for him. If they're getting £40m back now, what can they do with that type of money? Not a lot, really. So, I'd rather keep him."

How much of a loss would Rodri be to Man City?

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

Massive. Despite his age, and recent injury record, Rodri remains the most complete central midfielder to have operated in the Premier League over the past five years. "The best midfielder in the world by far," maintains Pep Guardiola.

Under Guardiola, City's in-play strategy revolved entirely around him, always impressing with his use of the ball and ability to receive in tight situations. He set the tempo for his team and controlled games as a result, doing the same for triumphant Spain this summer.

There is no current player who can condition a game like Rodri, and it is no coincidence City failed to retain their Premier League crown in the two seasons he was injury-plagued.

So, how is he replaced?

In short, he isn't.

But in Anderson City have got a surrogate of sorts. The England international might not yet be the dictator Rodri is but he can evolve to become something close. As a box-to-box midfielder, the 23-year-old is putting up numbers that at least mean he is comparable.