Barcelona's Rodri Bid and Man City's Enzo Fernandez Transfer Plan 2026

The Barcelona Rodri bid has intensified as the Catalan club made an improved £51m offer to Manchester City, setting the stage for a major midfield reshuffle in European football. This second bid follows an initial €45m rejection, and with Rodri's preference for Barcelona, the transfer appears imminent.

Barcelona's Improved Offer for Rodri

Barcelona have upped their offer to around €60m (£51m) for the 30-year-old Spanish midfielder, who captained Spain to World Cup glory and won the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The new proposal, which may include add-ons, is close to City's valuation, making a deal highly likely.

Rodri has reportedly expressed a clear desire to join Barcelona, and the Spanish club is confident of securing his signature. This move would mark a significant coup for Barcelona, adding a world-class defensive midfielder to their ranks.

Manchester City's Response: Targeting Enzo Fernandez

In preparation for Rodri's departure, Manchester City have set their sights on Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. The 25-year-old Argentine World Cup winner is valued at around £120m, a figure that may prove steep but could be negotiated with add-ons.

City's new manager, Enzo Maresca, is keen to reunite with Fernandez, having worked with him at Chelsea for a season-and-a-half. Fernandez was a key figure in Maresca's team that finished fourth and won the Europa Conference League in 2024-25, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup last summer.

Potential Departures and Arrivals at City

If City sign Fernandez, they may offload another midfielder, with Tijjani Reijnders a possible candidate to leave. The arrival of Fernandez would add seniority, leadership, and a combative style to City's midfield, complementing their recent big-money signings.

City have already recruited Elliott Anderson for £116m from Nottingham Forest and are close to signing Ayyoub Bouaddi for around £85m from Lille. These moves indicate a significant squad overhaul as they prepare for life without Rodri.

Chelsea's Replacement Search

Chelsea, meanwhile, are reportedly enquiring about Bournemouth's Alex Scott as a potential replacement for Fernandez should he leave. The west London club is intent on holding out for their £120m valuation, which could include add-ons to facilitate the transfer.

On Wednesday, City also announced the signing of goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli on a two-year deal, following James Trafford's move to Leeds. Rulli, who was previously at the club in 2016-17, said: "My job now is to train hard, get to know the players and staff and do everything I can."

Transfer Comparison: Rodri vs Enzo Fernandez

Key Takeaways

• Barcelona's improved £51m bid for Rodri is close to City's valuation, making a transfer inevitable.
• Man City are targeting Enzo Fernandez as Rodri's replacement, but Chelsea's £120m price tag is a hurdle.
• City have already spent big on Elliott Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, signaling a midfield rebuild.
• Chelsea are exploring Alex Scott as a potential replacement for Fernandez.

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