Barça no longer rules out snatching Rodri from Madrid

BarcelonaThe transfer market is heating up with a move that, if it becomes a reality, could be one of the most talked-about of the summer. Rodrigo Hernández, Real Madrid's favorite to strengthen the midfield, has also become a target for Barça in recent hours. The Barcelona club was attentive to the negotiations of the Madrid midfielder with the white club and has learned firsthand that the talks have cooled, which has led to contacts in recent hours from the blaugrana sporting director, Deco, both with the player's entourage and with Manchester City, who are the team that holds his rights until June 30, 2027.

According to whatThe Athletic has reported and the ARA has been able to confirm, Barça's sporting director has contacted the English club to ask for conditions regarding a possible transfer of Rodri. There is no firm offer, only information gathered firsthand. In any case, the response from the citizens is the same one they have been giving to Madrid for weeks: that even though the footballer's contract ends in less than a year, they will not let him leave now for much less than 70 million euros. Both at Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabéu, they believe it is fair to get him for 50 million, considering that he is already 30 years old and is currently recovering from back surgery. But Premier League prices have been sky-high for a long time.

Regarding the negotiations with Rodri, if those of Madrid have been going on for weeks, those of Barça are in a very embryonic phase, as they are the result of a reaction rather than a long-standing interest. In the Barça offices, the priority is to acquire a forward to cover Robert Lewandowski's departure and, in principle, the idea of filling the midfield with more players did not fit. Hansi Flick, in fact, made it clear a few days ago that he has enough players in this position, even considering that Frenkie de Jong has a knee injury that will force him to be out for the next few months. On the other hand, the German cannot hide a certain concern about Ferran Torres' situation, with one foot out of the club, and the difficulties in signing Julián Álvarez.

The surprising labyrinths of the transfer market

On the other hand, in the transfer market it is common for the representatives of players looking to change air to play on several sides to achieve the best conditions before signing. The clubs also enter into this game, as was seen a few weeks ago with the offer that Madrid made public for Julián when it already knew he was Barça's number one target. The white club offered 150 million euros which were rejected by Atlético de Madrid and indirectly raised the price of the blaugrana intentions. In Rodri's case, not only does the footballer come out winning if his name appears on the radar of the two giants of Spanish football: City will also make a greater economic profit from a player whose contract is ending.

Be that as it may, the Madrid footballer is a highly sought-after player because he is coming off winning a World Cup with Spain and being awarded the best player of the tournament despite not being a forward. Two years ago he also lifted the Golden Ball in the face of Vinícius, who was the favorite as Champions League winner, after winning the European Championship with "la roja" against England. Now Madrid will try to cash in on the Brazilian, whose contract also ends in a few months and who is asking a high price for his renewal, while looking to cover with Rodri a need that has been orphaned since Toni Kroos' retirement: the control of the duels from midfield. Barça is on the lookout for all this and no longer rules out snatching a key target from its eternal rival. However, the final decision will be made by the footballer, who is the one holding all the cards.