Manchester City midfielder Rodri is facing a defining moment in his career, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona reportedly interested in signing him this summer.
The Spanish international is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and has yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms with the club.
Real Madrid have held a long-term interest in the player, but two separate sources told BBC Sport that Spanish champions Barcelona have now also entered the race for his signature.
Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, Barca sources distanced themselves from such talk when approached to comment by BBC Sport.
Rodri missed large portions of the 2024-25 season with a serious knee injury, and parts of the campaign before that were disrupted by a hamstring problem.
However, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner returned to his very best at the World Cup this summer, leading Spain to the title and earning the player of the tournament award.
The midfielder had previously said his future would be resolved after the tournament, but he is currently sidelined following back surgery and has yet to link up with his City team-mates on their pre-season tour in the Far East.
City sources have previously told BBC Sport they are “counting on” the player for next season, and the club would require a significant fee to even consider selling him.
Once he returns to fitness, Rodri will face a major choice: sign the contract City have on the table, run down his deal and leave as a free agent next summer, or return to his homeland with one of Spain’s two biggest clubs.
A move to Barcelona would see him join the title winners of the past two seasons and reunite with Spain internationals Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Pedri.
A switch to Real Madrid, on the other hand, would offer a quick reunion with former City team-mate Bernardo Silva, who joined the club on a free this summer, with the side now led by the returning Jose Mourinho.
Rodri did previously say “you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world” in reference to Real Madrid, which would make for a fascinating atmosphere should he instead opt for Barcelona, having previously played for city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Rodri has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and two FA Cups since joining City in 2019, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders on the planet.
Having already lost Bernardo Silva this summer, City would face a significant rebuilding job, with Mateo Kovacic, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders all featuring in pre-season as potential options to step up.
Club record signing Elliot Anderson is expected to start, but filling the void left by Rodri would be no small task for whoever lines up alongside the England international.
City are also in talks to sign 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, though it would be a considerable ask for the Moroccan teenager to step straight into such a demanding role.
