FC Barcelona have accelerated their pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, with manager Hansi Flick identified as the driving force behind the move. According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Flick personally lobbied the club’s sporting department to make signing the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner a top priority this summer.

Rodri has since given Barcelona the green light, leaving the club to negotiate a fee with Manchester City. Talks are already under way, with City reportedly demanding in excess of €45 million to sanction a deal.

Why Flick Wants Rodri Specifically

SPORT reported that Flick outlined a clear case for why Rodri suits Barcelona above other targets. The central argument centres on experience. With a notably young squad, Flick believes the group currently lacks a player capable of leading in decisive moments, particularly in the Champions League knockout stages.

That gap widened following Robert Lewandowski’s exit, which removed one of the dressing room’s most senior voices. Rodri, as a Champions League winner who has collected football’s top individual honour, fits the leadership profile Flick is looking for.

Flick is said to view Rodri as still motivated. The midfielder’s freshly won World Cup title with Spain adds to his standing rather than signalling a player winding down.

Flick Called Rodri Directly

The Barcelona head coach did not limit his involvement to internal conversations. As previously reported by Barca Universal, Flick personally called Rodri to explain the club’s project and how the midfielder would fit into his setup. That direct contact is understood to have helped convince Rodri to signal his willingness to move.

Flick picked up the phone himself. Optimism inside the Camp Nou hierarchy has grown since those initial conversations, though an agreement with City still needs to be reached.

The Negotiation Hurdle

City’s reported asking price of over €45 million is the main obstacle. Barcelona have initiated official contact with the English club. The Catalan side are confident of a deal, but City have not yet lowered their valuation.

No discount has materialised yet. Rodri’s arrival would mark one of Barcelona’s most significant signings in recent years, pairing an experienced, decorated midfielder with Flick’s attack-oriented system. Fans following the Ferran Torres situation will recognise a similar dynamic, with Barcelona holding firm on valuations in their own negotiations elsewhere this window.

Social media response to reports of the potential deal has been broadly enthusiastic among Barcelona supporters, with discussion across platforms reflecting an appetite to see Rodri make the switch to Catalonia.

This report is based on a single source, yahoo.com, and has not been independently verified.