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The Rodri effect: Midfielders set to be affected by Spaniard’s yet-to-be-confirmed move to Barcelona
17th August, 2026 12:17 PM
Barcelona’s latest swoop for Spain World Cup-winning captain, Rodri, is set to certainly to reshape and trigger transfers across several European clubs as the bolster squads continue before the transfer window elapses.
Manchester City is understood to have reached an agreement with La Liga side Barcelona, whose third offer for Rodri appeared to meet the club’s evaluation of the midfielder.
With his departure confirmed alongside that of Tijjani Reinders, who has moved to Saudi, City must now secure a replacement ahead of a demanding new season, where domestic fixtures and UEFA Champions League assignments await Enzo Maresca.
City stunned by Arsenal
The Citizens are fresh from a rude awakening following a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, heightening the urgency to wrap up transfer business before the window elapses.
Among the marquee stars the Manchester club has been linked with to reinforce the department is Enzo Fernández.
The Argentine midfielder recently returned to London after an extended World Cup break. His hostile reception, where Blues fans booed him on his return, has raised questions about a potential move away from Chelsea.
Despite City failing to meet Chelsea’s Friday, August 14, 2026, 5:00 pm deadline to submit a bid for Fernández, several news outlets remain adamant that the transfer could still materialise.
Football London reports that the transfer saga remains active despite Chelsea making it clear they do not want to sell the Argentine international.
However, the possibility of a departure cannot be completely ruled out, as Chelsea need to create room in their squad and balance the books after a busy summer of incoming transfers.
Several players could potentially head for the exit before the window slams shut, with Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, and Tosin Adarabioyo among those whose futures remain uncertain as the club continues to shape its squad.
City accelerates midfield search
A late swoop by City remains on the cards, as Fernández stays a priority target for Maresca in a potential reunion with the midfielder he once named captain in West London.
Meanwhile, City have stepped up their pursuit of Lille’s midfield enforcer Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old Moroccan sensation has been repeatedly linked with the club, and following Rodri’s switch to Spain, City has moved swiftly to fast-track negotiations.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Sunday, August 16, 2026, that the deal was a matter of when, adding that a decision had been reached for the midfielder to join City immediately, a departure from the initial plan that would have seen the player stay at Lille until 2027.
