Barça, one step away from 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 paying attention to the negotiations of the Madrid midfielder with the white club and has learned first-hand that discussions have cooled, which has led to contacts in recent hours from the Blaugrana sporting director, Deco, with both the player's entourage and Manchester City, who own his rights until June 30, 2027. The operation is in progress and has strongly leaned in favor of Barcelona's interests.

Deco has contacted the English club to ask for conditions regarding the transfer of Rodri. There is no firm offer yet, but there will be. In any case, the citizens' response is the same as they have been giving Real Madrid for days: that even though the player's contract ends in less than a year, they will not let him leave this summer for much less than 70 million euros. Both at Camp Nou and the Bernabéu, they believe it is fair to sign him for 50 million, considering 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 negotiations with Rodri, if Madrid's have lasted for weeks, Barça's are in a more embryonic phase, as they are the result of a reaction rather than a long-standing interest. In the culers' offices, the priority was 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 while also expressing concern about Ferran Torres's situation, with one foot out of the club, and the difficulties in signing Julián Álvarez.

However, Rodri has become a lightning-fast and profitable opportunity following Frenkie de Jong's long-term injury. If the Dutchman were to exceed four months out according to the medical report, Barça would gain part of its salary space to register a substitute, but for now, De Jong – with a contract until 2029 – does not accept undergoing surgery and sees himself playing in about two or three months. A bit like what happened with Ter Stegen and Joan Garcia last summer. In any case, however, what the blaugrana entity has secured is Rodri's permission to negotiate directly with City. There will be time to address the midfielder's registration in La Liga.

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 clubs 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 1 target. The white club offered 150 million euros, which was rejected by Atlético de Madrid and indirectly raised the price of the blaugrana's intentions. In Rodri's case, it's not just the footballer who benefits if his name appears on the wish list of the two Spanish football giants: City will also gain greater economic profit from a player whose contract is expiring.

Be that as it may, the Madrid-born 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 front of Vinícius – who was the favorite as Champions League winner – after winning the Eurocup with la roja against England. Now Madrid is renewing the Brazilian, whose contract also expires in a few months, while looking to cover a void left since Toni Kroos' retirement: the control of the game from midfield. Barça has been on the lookout for all this and has launched itself to snatch Rodri from Florentino Pérez, who has dedicated efforts in recent days to the very expensive signing of Yan Diomande and now sees one of his other targets about to radically change plans.