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Barcelona completed the signing of World Cup star Rodri on Sunday night, reportedly reaching an agreement in principle with Manchester City valued at up to €76.5million ($87.8 million). The Premier League club is set to receive a guaranteed €60million ($68.8 million) of that total.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or holder saw his profile soar this summer after guiding Spain to 2026 FIFA World Cup glory and claiming the Golden Ball award. Barcelona, eager to push the deal through, had submitted two earlier offers to City reportedly worth $52 million (£38.5 million) and $69.3 million (£51.3 million), both of which were turned down.
The Catalan club will be relieved to have secured Rodri from City and ahead of fierce rivals Real Madrid, but at what steep price? The 30-year-old is currently out until at least the end of August following recent surgery, and had fewer than 12 months remaining on his City contract, which would have made him a free agent next summer.
Was pursuing Rodri at such a hefty price tag, at this particular moment, truly the right call?
Injury After Injury for Rodri
Rodri's fitness record has been a major concern. He suffered a serious knee injury in September 2024, causing him to miss 51 matches before returning to action in late April 2025. He has struggled to maintain consistent availability since, with various muscular problems in his hamstring and groin restricting him to sporadic appearances. The World Cup, spanning just five weeks, may have painted a misleading picture compared to the demands of a grueling nine-month club campaign.
His most recent issue arrived this summer in the form of a back problem that required surgery once the tournament concluded. A confirmed return date for Rodri has yet to be announced.
Barcelona Do Not Have a Striker
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has a more pressing concern than his club splashing enormous funds on Rodri.
Even without Frenkie de Jong, the Blaugrana have enough midfield depth through Pedri, Gavi, and Marc Bernal. Eric García can also operate in that position, while Xavi Espart impressed during preseason with the senior squad. Marc Casadó is anticipated to depart with Rodri's arrival, though no specific destination has emerged.
What Barcelona are lacking is a center forward. There is no obvious solution to replacing Robert Lewandowski, and Ferran Torres has just made the move to Paris Saint-Germain. Atlético Madrid's Julián Alvarez appears likely to remain in the Spanish capital, despite his own efforts to secure an exit.
The absence of a striker could force wingers Anthony Gordon or Karim Adeyemi into a false nine role. Lamine Yamal is a possibility, though Flick indicated the "focus" is on keeping the youngster on the right flank. The club is now scrambling for alternatives in the closing weeks of the transfer window — a task made considerably harder given how much of their budget has already been spent.
Barcelona Still Wrestling Financial Limitations
Barcelona have been forced to tread carefully with their finances in recent seasons. The club has returned to a 1:1 spending ratio under La Liga's financial rules, theoretically allowing every euro earned to be reinvested, a significant improvement from the harsh 1:4 restrictions previously imposed.
Despite this, difficulties in registering new players have persisted. Last season, Marcus Rashford and Joan García were not cleared to feature in La Liga until the opening matchday. The summer of 2022 was dominated by discussions around financial 'levers' that essentially involved borrowing against the club's future to fund immediate needs. Then came the Dani Olmo saga, in which his registration was briefly suspended by La Liga midway through the 2024–25 season.
Recent reports indicate that Barcelona have yet to register Gordon and Adeyemi. Players are being enrolled in phases, with priority given to those already at the club. Ronald Araújo must be deregistered following his move to Liverpool, and Roony Bardghji could also be removed from the register due to a long-term injury. Torres's departure to France will further help free up financial room.
Yet the situation feels riddled with risks and assumptions — such as Casadó's expected exit that has yet to materialize — making this a precarious balancing act on multiple fronts.