Spanish midfielder Rodri has joined Barcelona from Manchester City as the clubs confirmed the transfer on Tuesday (August 18).
Signed from Atletico Madrid at the age of 23, the Spanish midfielder arrived at the Etihad as one of Europe’s most promising defensive midfielders and eventually developed into one of the finest players in world football. But his time at City has ended as he has joined Barcelona on a deal of around £62 million from City.
Manchester City completed the signing in July 2019 after activating Rodri’s release clause, with the deal reported to be worth around £62.8 million. The transfer made him one of the most expensive midfielders in the club’s history at the time.
Barcelona intensified their interest in Rodri during the summer after identifying the Manchester City midfielder as the ideal addition to their midfield. The Catalan giants initially faced competition from Real Madrid, but Rodri’s preference for Barcelona helped swing the race in their favour. Rodri, who had one year left on his City contract, agreed to a four-year deal until June 2030.
How much Money will Rodri Earn at Barcelona?
Rodri initially signed a long-term contract with City, before extending his stay in 2022. His current deal was due to run until June 2027, with salary databases estimating his basic wages around €11m per year. As per reports, Rodri will earn around €15m per year at Barcelona, thus putting a four-year contract at the club.
Across seven seasons, Rodri made 298 appearances for Manchester City and won 12 major trophies, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League.
His individual achievements were equally remarkable. Rodri eventually won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Manchester City player to claim football’s most prestigious individual prize. He also captained Spain in the 2026 World Cup and won the Golden Ball in their title-winning campaign.
Story first published: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 23:14 [IST]
