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Barcelona's midfield is already among the finest in global football, and the club could strengthen further with reports suggesting the Catalans are frontrunners to sign Manchester City and Spain star Rodri.
For some time, it appeared Rodri was headed to Real Madrid should he depart Manchester, but Barcelona ramped up their efforts to land the standout performer of the 2026 World Cup, overtaking their fierce rivals in the transfer race.
Real Madrid are now largely out of contention, with reports indicating Rodri is eager for a move to Catalonia and that personal terms have already been agreed upon.
Barcelona had an opening offer turned down by Man City, who remain willing to part ways with the 2024 Ballon d'Or holder, though negotiations are expected to press on until both sides find common ground.
Reaching an agreement with Man City will be no easy task given the gap in valuations, but Barcelona have identified Rodri as their top transfer target and there is confidence he will be wearing Blaugrana colors before the summer window closes.
Should the deal go through, Hansi Flick would have an abundance of options for his midfield lineup, with Rodri serving as the cornerstone. Here's a look at how Barça could set up with Rodri in the squad.
Spain's World Cup Winning Midfield
Barcelona have operated in a 4-2-3-1 formation since Flick took charge, the very same system Spain deployed during their triumphant 2026 World Cup campaign this summer, in which Rodri was the standout performer.
Flick would be able to replicate Spain's exact midfield setup at club level, with Pedri slotting in ahead of Fabián Ruiz as he did during the early rounds of the international tournament.
Rodri would naturally occupy the No. 6 role, tasked with receiving the ball from the center-backs during build-up play and remaining stationed in the heart of midfield, shielding the defense from counter-attacks with his sharp pressing ability—something Barça noticeably lacked last season.
He would replace Frenkie de Jong, who can fill the No. 6 role but tends to push forward more frequently and lacks the physicality and ball-winning qualities of the Spaniard.
Some may worry that Pedri's performances dipped when playing alongside Rodri, though that could be attributed to several factors, including evident fatigue. Additionally, Spain's approach under Luis de la Fuente is far more positional than Flick's, who over two seasons has given Pedri the freedom to roam across midfield and control Barça's tempo, with De Jong serving as the more disciplined midfielder.
Within this system, Rodri would represent an upgrade on De Jong, particularly in defensive terms—an area the team desperately needs to address.
Further forward, Dani Olmo would function as the attacking No. 10 following his outstanding World Cup showing. However, when fully fit, Fermín López is more than capable of pushing Olmo for a starting berth—a welcome headache for Flick.
A Traditional Barcelona 4-3-3
While Barça have predominantly used a 4-2-3-1 under Flick, the German coach has also demonstrated tactical flexibility by switching to a classic 4-3-3 at times—particularly when managing injuries. Rodri spent several seasons under Pep Guardiola as the No. 6 in a 4-3-3, flanked by two No. 8's.
Should Flick opt for a 4-3-3, Rodri would once again be the fulcrum of the midfield, linking the backline with the more creative attacking players. He would act as a defensive screen and the primary outlet for the first pass.
In this setup, Pedri could function as a conventional No. 8 on his left, while Spain teammate Gavi could enter the starting XI as the second No. 8 to Rodri's right. The combative midfielder has missed significant time over the past three seasons, but at just 22 and back to full fitness, Barcelona are hopeful this could be the campaign where Gavi recaptures the form that earned him the 2022 Kopa Trophy as the world's best young player.
If Gavi fails to rediscover his best, Flick has previously used Fermín in that role for roughly a month of the 2025–26 season when both De Jong and Pedri were sidelined. Should the manager prefer a more cautious midfield—which seems unlikely—Marc Bernal or even De Jong could fill the second No. 8 slot. The former, however, would likely serve as Rodri's primary backup.
Perhaps Flick's reluctance to use a 4-3-3 stemmed from Barcelona lacking a genuine, world-class No. 6 during his time at the helm. Rodri's arrival would resolve that issue entirely.
Barcelona would be returning to their traditional identity with a 4-3-3, and Rodri would be fulfilling what Barcelona sporting director Deco sees as his destiny—as the only player truly capable of stepping into the legendary Sergio Busquets' boots.