Manchester City rejects Barcelona’s bid for midfielder Rodri

Manchester City have turned down Barcelona’s opening offer for Rodri, setting the stage for what could become one of the summer’s most drawn-out transfer sagas. The Spanish midfielder, widely regarded as the best defensive midfielder on the planet, is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and has made it clear he wants to go home. What Barcelona offered, and why City said no Barcelona’s initial bid reportedly came in below the €65 million figure that Manchester City have been targeting. City sources have signaled a willingness to sell, but only at the right price, somewhere in the neighborhood of £60 million. The gap between what Barca put on the table and what City want was wide enough to produce a swift rejection. The 30-year-old has reportedly already agreed on personal terms with Barcelona and given the Catalan club the green light to negotiate on his behalf. It means this isn’t a case of Barcelona throwing darts at a board. Rodri is actively steering his future toward the Camp Nou. The Real Madrid wrinkle Barcelona isn’t the only Spanish giant that’s been circling. Real Madrid have maintained long-standing interest in Rodri, and discussions between Madrid and...