FC Barcelona’s Expected Rodri Transfer Triggers Two Midfield Exits
FC Barcelona is actively pursuing Rodri, with manager Hansi Flick personally convincing the World Cup's Best Player to join after Real Madrid's bid failed. Barca's initial €46 million offer to Manchester City was rejected, and they now aim for a €60-70 million deal. To accommodate Rodri's expected €16 million salary and adhere to Financial Fair Play, the club is accelerating player exits. Ronald Araujo is set for a 2026/2027 loan to Liverpool, covering his full salary. Midfielder Marc Casado's €40 million departure is imminent, as he was excluded from the team's Italy trip. Additionally, Tommy Marques is seeking more playing time, with Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, and Braga showing interest. Barca intends to include a buyback clause and future sale percentage for Marques.
Rodri’s expected arrival at FC Barcelona has triggered two pending exits from the Catalans' midfield.
After talks broke down with Real Madrid, Barça pounced and made an approach for the recently-voted Best Player at the World Cup.
Hansi Flick personally called the man who led Spain to victory, and successfully convinced him of his sporting project’s strength at the Spotify Camp Nou.
In quick succession, Rodri then reportedly agreed to join Barça, which is now trying to agree a transfer fee with his current club Manchester City.
After an initial €46 million bid was knocked back, the Catalans now have to put a package together that is worthy of tempting the Mancunians into a sale.
Something between the €60-70 million mark is believed to be the sweet spot. And until Sporting Director Deco gets the deal over the line, other moves are being made in the front office.
Making way for Rodri’s rumoured €16 million salary on the wage bill, and staying on the right side of Financial Fair Play limits, is no easy feat.
Ronald Araujo leaving for Liverpool - who will pay 100% of the Uruguayan’s salary - on loan for the 2026/2027 season certainly helps, however.
In midfield, though, there was already an “overbooking” as it is commonly called in Spain.
On Saturday morning, ahead of Barça facing Nottingham Forest and Udinese in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup, the big news is that Marc Casado has been ordered not to join the rest of Flick’s squad on the trip to Italy.
Priced at €40 million, a departure from his boyhood club for Casado is described as “imminent”.
Also on the exit ramp is Tommy Marques. After debuting under Flick last term and earning a La Liga winners medal for his troubles, the Catalan has decided to move on in the search for more minutes.
Manchester City is one interested party, while Borussia Dortmund and Braga are also in the running Mundo Deportivo" href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20260807/1004214103/manchester-city-interesa-tommy-marques-quieren-sporting-braga-borussia-dortmund.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">according to Mundo Deportivo.
Of the three, it is the latter Portuguese outfit pushing hardest. At Braga, Tommy Marques would find a former teammate in Pau Victor, who has thus far enjoyed a successful spell in the Primeira Liga.
As is new club policy at FC Barcelona, Marques would be sold with a reasonable buyback clause and a percentage of a future sale. Just like Pau Victor, Marques is making a mature step in realisation that his career would stagnate waiting on the bench for an opportunity. It’ll be remembered by Culers, who might one day welcome him back home.