Barcelona will need to make a third offer to Manchester City if they are to sign midfielder Rodri.
The Spanish champions have already agreed personal terms with the 30-year-old, who has chosen Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid, but two bids have been rejected.
City value Rodri at more than €70m (£60m), and Barcelona would need to make a proposal in that region before they can sign the Spain international.
Rodri returned to England this week after celebrating Spain’s World Cup victory in North America. He met Enzo Maresca for the first time on Friday, although the new City manager would not commit to the midfielder remaining at the club.
“As I already said, when the transfer window is open, we can buy players, we can sell players, anything can happen,” Maresca said before Sunday’s Community Shield against Arsenal. “I just saw Rodri now, I gave him a big hug, he looks good. So let’s see what happens.”
Oh. My. God. pic.twitter.com/kXXG8nHr59
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The situation has become more pressing for City because their midfield is already changing. Bernardo Silva has joined Real Madrid on a free transfer and Tijjani Reijnders is set to move to Al Qadsiah, leaving Maresca needing further options even if Rodri stays.
City have begun that work by signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m. They are also pursuing Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi.
A move for Fernandez is a difficult one. Chelsea set a Friday deadline for City to make a £120m bid for the Argentina international, but as Maresca indicated, City were unable to meet both the deadline and the quote fee.
Barcelona’s interest in Rodri therefore comes as City assess how much of their midfield needs to be rebuilt. Rodri remains a key part of their plans, so if Barcelona do not return with a higher offer they are happy to retain their best midfielder.
Maresca said he would have more time to speak with the player after their first meeting on Friday. “Now we have time to see each other a bit more,” Maresca said.
