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When the summer transfer window opened, few would have predicted Rodri ending up at Barcelona. Yet, here we are.
A transfer agreement worth $88.5 million (£65.4 million, €76.5 million) has been struck to bring the Manchester City midfielder to Camp Nou with only two weeks remaining in the window. It's a significant deal on its own, but the ripple effects could prove even more consequential.
With the transfer window entering its most exciting phase, here's a look at how Rodri's impending move to Barcelona could shake up the market.
Barcelona
Midfielder Exits
With six midfielders already in the squad and a unit that now appears settled for the next five years or so, it's inevitable that some players on the periphery of Hansi Flick's plans will need to move on.
Rodri's arrival seems to have already derailed any hopes of a breakthrough campaign for 19-year-old Tommy Marqués who, according to The Athletic, is set to join Braga in a deal valued at $14 million (€12 million). A lack of playing time competing with Rodri is cited as a key reason behind the teenager's desire to depart.
Also heading toward the exit is Marc Casadó. The 22-year-old's potential departure has been on the table for some time, and Fabrizio Romano reports that things will now accelerate following the agreement to bring in Rodri.
More Funds Raised
Barcelona aren't finished in the transfer market, but — to the surprise of no one who has tracked the club in recent seasons — they don't have the financial flexibility to simply move on to their next target.
The main challenge isn't the transfer budget itself, but rather the available space under La Liga's financial fair play regulations. Rodri's wages will be substantial and will pose a hurdle for registering any additional new signings. As a result, some current squad members will need to be offloaded.
Alongside Marqués and Casadó, right back Héctor Fort is also expected to leave, though there's a feeling that one high-profile name could still be sacrificed to free up room.
The Next Superstar Move
It's no secret that Barcelona are eager to clear salary space in order to complete a deal for Atlético Madrid forward Julián Alvarez. A nine-figure fee and considerable wages will be required to make this happen.
Persuading Atlético to part ways with him is likely to be the most difficult hurdle, but Barcelona's hierarchy can now direct their full attention to this pursuit. That said, with only two weeks left in the window, there must come a point where Barcelona pivot to alternative targets.
Sporting CP's Luis Suárez has recently been added to a list of backup options that also includes Hoffenheim's Fisnik Asllani, among others. Given that Barcelona currently have no natural striker in their squad, expect significant activity over the coming fortnight.
Man City
New Midfielder Needed
Losing Rodri leaves a massive hole in Man City's midfield — one that was already painfully evident before their underwhelming Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.
Rodri's departure, combined with Tijjani Reijnders' imminent move to Al Qadsiah, frees up funds for City to re-enter the market. Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi appears to be the primary target, with the 18-year-old expected to command a hefty transfer fee.
Would a hypothetical midfield of Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson, Nico González and Mateo Kovačić satisfy Enzo Maresca? Probably not.
A Bid for Enzo Fernández?
Interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernández is far from a knee-jerk reaction to the Community Shield loss, but that chastening defeat could easily push the Cityzens to act swiftly.
"We already knew before the match what needed to be done," Maresca reflected post-game. "Not because we lost. We're quite clear on what we need to do. We will definitely make something happen before the transfer [window] closes."
Chelsea's internal deadline of Friday, Aug. 14 has now passed, but that doesn't guarantee Fernández will remain at Stamford Bridge. A price tag of $162.5 million (£120 million) had been agreed with the Argentine's representatives to function almost as a release clause, but the window to trigger it has closed. If City want to reunite the two Enzos, they'll need to put forward a highly compelling offer.
The Midfield Merry-Go-Round
Assuming City don't settle for Bouaddi as their sole replacement for Rodri, this deal could trigger a chain of significant consequences across the market.
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Should City sign Fernández, Chelsea would be pushed back into the market. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton is a known target, and the Blues have already seen a bid for Bournemouth's Alex Scott rejected. Reports linking them to Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly had previously been downplayed, but his display in Cardiff on Sunday will have certainly attracted renewed attention.
Fernández isn't the only high-profile name being considered, however. Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister is reportedly of interest, and a departure for the Argentine — who could follow Curtis Jones out of Anfield — would likely spark a scramble for many of the same targets currently on Chelsea's radar.
The Rodri deal has sent shockwaves through the transfer market, with substantial sums of money likely to change hands as clubs respond to the fallout from this blockbuster move.