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 down, which has led to contacts in recent hours from theblaugrana 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.

As reported by The Athletic and confirmed by ARA, Barça's sporting director has contacted the English club to inquire about the conditions for a possible transfer of Rodri. There is no firm offer, only information gathered firsthand. In any case, the citizens' response is the same 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 he is already 30 years old and is currently recovering from a back operation. But Premier League prices have been sky-high for a long time.

Regarding negotiations with Rodri, if Madrid's have been ongoing for weeks, Barça's are in a very embryonic stage, as they are the result of a reaction rather than a long-standing interest. At the culé 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 Frenkie de Jong's knee injury that will keep him 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.

On the other hand, in the transfer market, it is common for player representatives looking to change airs to play on various sides to achieve the best conditions before signing. Clubs also enter this game, as was seen a few weeks ago with the offer that Madrid made public for Julián when they 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 blaugranas' intentions. In Rodri's case, it is not only the footballer who benefits if his name appears on the radar of the two giants of Spanish football: the City will also reap greater economic profit from a player whose contract is ending.