Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s £38.5million opening bid for key man Rodri, the Press Association understands.
The 30-year-old only has a season remaining on his deal at the Etihad Stadium and has been strongly linked with a return to Spain.
Real Madrid had hoped to sign Rodri but Barca have moved ahead in the race for his signature, although their opening bid in the region of 45million euros (£38.5m) was rejected out of hand by City.
City are believed to have been unimpressed by the first bid and unless there is a significantly improved offer, things will not progress.
Enzo Maresca’s side are understood to instead want around 80m euros (£68.5m) for a player who last month not only won the World Cup but was named player of the tournament.
Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, playing a part in four Premier League title triumphs and the 2023 Champions League victory during a success-laden period under former boss Pep Guardiola.
The midfielder won Euro 2024 and that year’s Ballon d’Or, only for a serious knee injury to rule him out of much of the 2024-25 campaign.
Rodri managed 33 appearances in all competitions last term before heading to the World Cup with Spain.
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