For weeks, Rodri had been linked to a move to Real Madrid, but suddenly he is said to have opted for FC Barcelona. A Spanish radio station spoke with the midfielder’s agent.
On Thursday afternoon, reports began pouring in, mostly pointing in a suddenly very different direction. Although some outlets—particularly in the Madrid media—were still reporting that Rodri’s camp was merely trying to lure Real Madrid out of its shell by deciding to approach FC Barcelona, given that Real Madrid’s negotiations with Manchester City had recently stalled.
But the consensus now is: The 30-year-old, who has been heavily linked to them for weeks, has decided against the Royals—and in favor of their archrival, of all teams, which until recently was reportedly not even interested in the best player of the last World Cup.
“Very good” Real offer shortly after the World Cup final
The most intriguing insights from Spain came from the program “El Larguero” on radio station SER, in which journalist Anton Meana reported on a behind-the-scenes conversation with Rodri’s agent, Pablo Barquero. According to Meana, Barquero initially confirmed that Real had “made a very good offer” to his client shortly after the World Cup final. “Madrid was absolutely serious.”
Barquero reportedly spoke exclusively of “positive discussions” and “polite and respectful treatment” from Real Madrid, though this still failed to fully convince Rodri, whose contract with Manchester City expires next summer. Rather, another club was even more successful in this regard—according to numerous reports, FC Barcelona.
The midfielder’s agent is said to have assured Meana that perhaps the hottest name on the transfer market right now has decided to accept another offer, which is why there was a phone call yesterday, Thursday, with the Spanish record champions, during which Rodri explained this and thus “closed the door on Real Madrid.”
Various other sources also mention a phone call with Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick, who—along with some of Rodri’s national team teammates—is said to have made it crystal clear to him that the reigning champions’ environment and playing philosophy are a better fit for him. The star player is said to have already reached an agreement with the Catalans; an agreement with Manchester City has yet to be reached.
