Barcelona are now leading the race to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri after the player chose them over Real Madrid.
The deal is expected to cost between €60m and €70m and will see them build up a formidable midfield that few clubs would want to face.
But what about Barcelona’s move for a striker – a position that had reportedly been prioritised heading into the summer window, after the exit of veteran Robert Lewandowski at the end of his contract and with makeshift striker Ferran Torres not rated highly enough at the club, despite his crucial goal as Spain won the World Cup this summer?
The club’s progress on a deal for Rodri has not changed their plans to strengthen in attack, according to sources, and it is understood that the push to sign Alvarez will still continue.
Barcelona have made an offer of €100m for the Argentine and president Joan Laporta has insisted the offer remains on the table, even though Atletico Madrid rejected the bid and followed up with an official complaint filed with the Spanish football federation over Barcelona’s approach of the player.
Meanwhile, the club’s interest in Rodri emerged after reports that he is considering a move away from Manchester City this summer, with just a year left on his contract.
Crucially, Frenkie de Jong suffered a knee injury at the World Cup that is expected to keep the Netherlands midfielder out for several months. In his absence, the starting role in midfield alongside Pedri will be contested by Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, or possibly a more defensive-minded player like Eric Garcia.
Rodri would be a high-quality upgrade to any of those three players and will almost certainly claim that spot for his own when fit.
