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Rodri’s future has taken a dramatic twist. According to a wave of media reports, the Manchester City and Spain midfielder has given Barcelona the go-ahead to begin talks over a transfer, preferring the Catalan club’s sporting project to a move to Real Madrid. Catalan and Spanish media outlets are all aligned on that view.

Mundo Deportivo, Sport and Marca have all carried the story, with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano also confirming it. The player is now said to be closer than ever to a switch to Camp Nou.

Mundo Deportivo: Rodri convinced by Flick’s project

Mundo Deportivo report that Rodri has informed Barcelona officials that he is fully persuaded by the sporting plan being led by German coach Hansi Flick, and has therefore given the Catalan hierarchy the green light to open formal discussions with Manchester City.

Nothing has been finalised yet, either with the player or with the English club. However, Barcelona believe the key step has already been taken now that Rodri has made his stance clear.

Only a few days ago, club officials were under the impression that Rodri’s priority if he returned to Spain would be Real Madrid. That position then changed completely, with the player choosing Barcelona instead.

From Barcelona’s perspective, the operation represents an exceptional market opportunity. Reinforcing the attack remains the club’s main priority, but the chance to bring in one of the best midfielders in world football has made the board ready to seriously examine the move.

Real Madrid had valued the transfer at around 60 million euros. That amount creates a financial obstacle for Barcelona, but the player’s approval gives the club an opening to search for economic solutions that could make the deal possible.

Sport: Negotiations with Real Madrid have broken down

The newspaper Sport reported that Rodri’s entourage informed Barcelona on Wednesday evening that his negotiations with Real Madrid had collapsed. The discussions reached a standstill because of financial terms.

According to the publication, Barcelona had already been in touch with the player’s representatives after the injury to Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong. Even so, the club did not want to make any move before being sure that Rodri genuinely wanted to wear the Catalan shirt.

That requirement has now been satisfied. The player has made it clear that he is fully prepared to negotiate with Barcelona.

Sport valued Rodri’s transfer at between 55 and 70 million euros. Manchester City are still seeking the upper end of that range, though there is room for negotiation if the player pushes for an exit.

Rodri’s wages will be one of the biggest issues Barcelona have to deal with, especially after his Ballon d’Or triumph. The player is expecting a contract in line with his status, which means the club’s management must look for solutions within the salary cap.

Work with the player’s representatives is already ongoing, and there is optimism inside the club, even though no official offer has yet been made to either the player or Manchester City.

Marca: Real Madrid option is finished

Marca also confirmed that Rodri has taken a decisive step towards Barcelona after informing the club’s sporting department that he has agreed to join Hansi Flick’s project.

That development virtually ends any possibility of a move to Real Madrid. Rodri’s attention is now said to be fully fixed on Barcelona.

The difficult phase comes next. Marca state that direct negotiations between Barcelona and Manchester City will now begin as the two clubs attempt to settle on a transfer fee.

Fabrizio Romano: Rodri has opened the door to negotiations for the first time

Well-known Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Rodri has, for the first time, opened the door to negotiations with Barcelona, informing the club that he is willing to discuss personal terms.

Barcelona are proceeding cautiously, according to Romano. Real Madrid are still in the race, and the Catalan club are waiting until Rodri gives his final decision to the Manchester City board.

Why has Rodri’s stance changed?

Spanish reports point to several reasons behind the recent shift in the player’s preferred destination. The main ones are:

Rodri’s faith in the sporting project Hansi Flick is putting together.

Real Madrid’s talks with Manchester City have stalled because of the high financial cost.

The player believes Barcelona’s style of play is a better fit for him.

Several of his Spain team-mates are already part of Barcelona’s squad, giving him a familiar setting in which to settle quickly.

Interesting behind-the-scenes details

Radio Marca journalist Sergio Valentín has provided further detail on the operation, saying Rodri came extremely close to joining Real Madrid. According to him, there was not only an agreement with the player, but also one that was nearly complete with Manchester City.

Valentín explained that the intervention of Jony Calavat brought the talks to a halt. Calavat persuaded Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez to push for a lower fee, and once the player found out that the club intended to reduce the price, the negotiations stalled. Manchester City rejected that approach outright.

Rodri initially wanted the move to Real Madrid. But the repeated delays tested his patience, and Barcelona moved in during the final days. Sporting director Deco opened direct talks with the player, while coach Hansi Flick and several of his Spain team-mates contacted him to convince him about the Catalan club’s project.

By bringing Barcelona into the race, Valentín says, Manchester City completely altered the balance of the deal. Real Madrid had been pursuing a discount. Now they could be forced to pay more if they want to recover the initiative, with Barcelona applying pressure from close range.