Barcelona push to sign Rodri amid Real Madrid interest in Man City star

Rodri is into the final year of his contract at the Etihad and has resisted all efforts from City to commit his future to the club. Offers of a new deal remain unsigned and there have been no attempts to shut down the speculation that he could return to La Liga.

His performances at the World Cup have catapulted him into the running for the Ballon d'Or and pushed the Spanish super clubs into trying to secure a deal for him. Rodri is still expected to return to City ahead of the new season and the club will want a big offer that reflects his status in world football if they are to sell him, but they have to be alive to that prospect given the significant interest in him.

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To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

However, given the age profile of those two players and the fact that City have already lost Bernardo Silva, whether or not City are able to keep hold of Rodri will likely have a huge impact on their title chances. The Blues came close to pipping Arsenal in the final weeks of last season but fell short at the last with the 30-year-old missing for crucial matches in the run-in.