news-engine

Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, various sources have confirmed to ESPN. Barça had failed with two previous bids for Rodri but the Spanish champions returned with a third offer over the weekend with the total package worth €76.5 million (£65.3M). Sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday that a deal had subsequently been brokered with City, with the two clubs exchanging paperwork and finalizing the agreement. Rodri, 30, is expected to arrive in Barcelona in the coming days and could be presented before Wednesday's Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al Ahly at Spotify Camp Nou. The agreement for the Ballon d'Or winner came shortly after sources told ESPN fullback João Cancelo is also set to return to Barça as a free agent. Cancelo and Rodri are set to become Barça's fourth and fifth signings of a busy summer following the arrivals of Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu. The club remain in the market for a striker, too, with Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez their top target following the exits of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Rodri was not initially a priority signing at the start of the summer but the club jumped on the opportunity once he became available after winning the World Cup with Spain. A long-term injury suffered by Frenkie de Jong had also forced Barça to explore the midfield market. - Olley: Arsenal's dominance illustrates the mountain City have to climb - Arsenal vs. Man City player ratings - Yamal scores in big Barça win, Bisiwu adds brace Real Madrid also tried to sign former Atlético Madrid player Rodri, but sources told ESPN last week he preferred a move to Barça. Once an agreement was in place between Rodri and Barça, the Catalan club stepped up negotiations with City, who were prepared to sanction a deal for the right price given he had only one year remaining on his contract. Sources at Barça view Rodri as a statement signing who can help take Hansi Flick's side -- back-to-back champions in Spain -- to the next level in the coming seasons. After spells with Villarreal and Atlético, Rodri joined City in 2019 and has won almost everything there is to win in the game, both collectively and individually. In addition to four Premier League titles and a Champions League with City, he has also won the European Championships and World Cup with Spain, being named player of the tournament at both championships. Success at the Euros led to him winning the Ballon d'Or in 2024.