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Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that “anything can happen” regarding Rodri’s future amid reports that La Liga champions Barcelona have made an opening bid for the midfielder.
Barcelona are understood to have submitted an opening offer of £38.5 million ($52 million) for the 30-year-old, which Manchester City have reportedly rejected.
Rodri has only one season remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and has been strongly linked with a return to his native Spain.
Manchester City are reportedly seeking around £68 million for the midfielder, who was named player of the tournament at the recent World Cup in North America.
Barcelona could return with an improved offer for Rodri, which could potentially lead Manchester City to make a move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Rodri was the last Manchester City player to report for pre-season training, arriving on Friday after undergoing back surgery following his starring role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of this weekend’s Community Shield clash against Arsenal, Maresca acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s future.
“First of all, we already said the transfer window is open, we can buy and sell players, anything can happen,” Maresca said.
Maresca added that he would not comment on players contracted to other clubs but acknowledged that Manchester City still had work to do before the summer transfer window closes.
Rodri’s Decorated Manchester City Career
Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has played a key role in the club’s success. He has won multiple Premier League titles and the 2023 UEFA Champions League under former manager Pep Guardiola.
The Spain international also won Euro 2024 and the Ballon d’Or that year before suffering a serious knee injury that ruled him out for much of the 2024/25 campaign.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly working to meet a Friday deadline on an offer for Enzo Fernandez.
However, when Maresca was asked whether Manchester City would make an approach for the Argentine midfielder later in the day, he played down the possibility.
“Not today to be honest, I don’t think we’re going to do something today,” he said.
Reijnders Set for Saudi Move
Another Manchester City midfielder, Tijjani Reijnders, is reportedly close to leaving the club for Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah in a deal estimated at £51 million.
Reijnders only joined Manchester City from AC Milan for £46.5 million last year but started only half of the club’s Premier League matches. Maresca said it was understandable that the midfielder would want more playing time.
“Tijjani’s situation is like James Trafford’s situation, some more players, but I think when the club, the player, the manager, they all think the same way, that probably the best decision for a player is to go, you have to go,” he said.
Manchester City face Arsenal in Community Shield
Manchester City will face Arsenal in the Community Shield this weekend, with Arsenal entering the match as last season’s Premier League champions and City as FA Cup holders.
Arsenal finished seven points ahead of Manchester City last season as they ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title. Maresca acknowledged Arsenal’s strength but said Manchester City were determined to close the gap.
“Arsenal have shown in the last two or three or four, five years, that they are always there,” he said.
“It is a fantastic team from Mikel. They won the Premier League, they showed how good they are in this moment. But at the same time, we are City and we’re going to try to close the gap and compete.”
