FC Barcelona have joined the race to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, with Real Madrid failing to reach a deal for the 30-year-old.
Pol Ballus and Mario Cortegana report for The Athletic that FC Barcelona are exploring a deal to sign Rodri from Manchester City this summer, and they’ve already held talks with the player’s camp over the conditions of a potential deal.
Barcelona’s project is said to appeal to Rodri, despite the fact that Real Madrid have long been working on a deal for the midfielder.
Personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue for Rodri to join Real, but the club have so far failed to find an agreement with City. Real maintain their interest in Rodri, but they’re now aware that Barcelona have joined the race.
Rodri is currently on holiday after Spain’s World Cup success, though he’s also out of action after undergoing successful minor back surgery.
That procedure is only expected to keep him out for a short period of rehabilitation, but it does put his participation against Arsenal in the Community Shield next weeek in serious doubt.
It will be hard enough for Arsenal’s fully-fit Spain internationals to make their return to training and match sharpness in time for next Sunday’s game. For Rodri to manage that comeback after a recent back procedure would be another level.
Even if Rodri returns to training after injury and his holiday in time to face Arsenal, Barcelona or Real Madrid may already have lured him away, and the transfer speculation will be stronger than ever if they haven’t.
After the Community Shield, Arsenal won’t face Manchester City in the Premier League until November 28th (though it’s possible the two sides will be drawn against each other in the League Cup fourth round in October).
So whilst it now seems unlikely Rodri starts the Community Shield game, the situation should be long resolved by the time the two teams meet again.
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