Rodri prefers a move to Barcelona over Real Madrid.

According to reports, Rodri of Manchester City is favoring a transfer to Barcelona over Real Madrid in the summer of 2026.

RMC Sport reports that both Manchester City's board and Real Madrid have been notified of the Spanish player's intentions.

Barcelona has been chasing Rodri for several weeks. The injury to Frenkie de Jong is believed to have prompted the Catalan club to speed up talks.

Barcelona's management considers the 30-year-old to be the key missing element in Hansi Flick's tactical setup. Rodri, meanwhile, is reportedly keen on the club's sporting vision.

Rodri's contract with Manchester City runs until 2027. The Premier League side reportedly values him at €60-70 million. Consequently, Barcelona must devise a financial plan to secure this deal, which is expected to be one of the summer's biggest transfers.

Having led Spain to victory in the 2026 World Cup and earned the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, Rodri has become one of the planet's most coveted midfielders. A departure from City would see him return to La Liga, where he formerly featured for Villarreal and Atlético Madrid prior to his Premier League stint.

Speculation regarding Barcelona's interest has now been significantly strengthened. Reports from Spanish and English outlets, such as The Athletic and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, indicate that Barcelona has officially joined the pursuit of the Spanish national team captain. The Blaugrana have reached out to Rodri's camp and Manchester City to outline their proposal and long-term vision.

Earlier, Manchester City had been negotiating with Real Madrid for several weeks, with the Spanish giants viewed as the frontrunners. Yet, the lack of a deal has allowed Barcelona to step in and compete.

According to sources, both Barcelona and Real Madrid have submitted comparable transfer fees. Manchester City is willing to accept any reasonable bid, leaving the final decision in Rodri's hands. The 1996-born midfielder is reportedly very impressed by Barcelona's ongoing project. The countdown is on for a potential blockbuster move that could reshape Spanish football.