{"id":71968,"date":"2026-08-18T05:03:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T05:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/71968\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T05:03:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T05:03:20","slug":"spain-midfielder-rodri-lands-in-barcelona-ahead-of-dream-move-from-man-city-the-irish-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/71968\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain midfielder Rodri lands in Barcelona ahead of \u2018dream\u2019 move from Man City \u2013 The Irish News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has arrived in Barcelona ahead of his \u00a365.4million move to the Catalan giants.<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old said it was \u201ca dream come true\u201d to be heading to the Nou Camp, with the deal set to be finalised following a medical on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters at Barcelona\u2019s El Prat airport, Rodri said: \u201cI\u2019m very happy to be here. It\u2019s been an intense few days, but I\u2019m glad everything is sorted out.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlaying for Barcelona is a dream come true for me. I\u2019m really looking forward to being with my team-mates, most of whom I already know from the national team, so now it\u2019s time to work hard and give my best.<\/p>\n

\"PFL<\/a>\"Tiernan<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going for the Champions League, we\u2019re going for everything that comes our way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The midfielder, who lifted the World Cup with Spain this summer, had entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and was the subject of interest from both Barcelona and their arch rivals Real Madrid.<\/p>\n

Barca had seen an opening offer of \u00a340m rejected last week and failed with an increased bid before reaching an agreement on Sunday.<\/p>\n

RODRI ARRIVES IN BARCELONA TO BECOME BLAUGRANA! \u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\udc99<\/p>\n

The Spanish midfielder arrived at the airport in the Catalan city as he prepares to become the club\u2019s newest signing! \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udc40#Rodri<\/a> #Barcelona<\/a> #Spain<\/a> #Football<\/a> #Transfers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/x4XEHIR5m1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MARCA in English \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@MARCAinENGLISH) August 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

If all goes to plan with Rodri\u2019s medical, his signing could be announced later the same day, with a formal presentation pencilled in for Wednesday.<\/p>\n

City had hoped to keep Rodri, with manager Enzo Maresca describing him as a \u201ctop player\u201d and saying, \u201call the teams need Rodri\u201d after the Community Shield on Sunday. However, they have been unable to persuade their linchpin to stay and sign a new contract.<\/p>\n

Rodri had only returned to City on Friday having undergone back surgery following the World Cup.<\/p>\n

The former Atletico Madrid player has spent seven seasons with City, winning the Premier League four times and scoring the only goal when they beat Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final.<\/p>\n

\"RodriRodri led Spain to World Cup glory this summer (Nick Potts\/PA) <\/p>\n

The following year he won the Ballon d\u2019Or but by the time he was presented with the trophy he was sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury which ruled him out of most of the 2024-25 campaign.<\/p>\n

Further hamstring and groin problems then limited him to 33 appearances in Pep Guardiola\u2019s final campaign in charge.<\/p>\n

City have already undergone major changes in midfield this summer, spending \u00a3116m on Elliot Anderson, while agreeing a deal to sell Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadisah.<\/p>\n

They have also been linked with Lille\u2019s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea\u2019s Enzo Fernandez.<\/p>\n