World Cup-winning Spaniard Rodri has been confirmed to be heading to Barcelona for £65.4 million from Manchester City, after two previous bids were rejected.
Despite being brought in for a British transfer record fee of £116 million to partner Rodri in midfield, new signing Elliot Anderson will need to step up massively to replace the Rolls-Royce midfielder.
Rodri departing for Barcelona has opened up more funds for Man City to acquire Enzo Fernandez – however, the deadline Chelsea set for the transfer has now passed.
Notable hole left in midfield
Rodri had one year left on his deal at Man City, and is expected to sign a four-year deal with Barcelona.
“All teams need a player like Rodri,” Man City boss Enzo Maresca said after his side’s uninspiring 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday.
On the potential acquisition of Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, Maresca added: “He’s still a Lille player. But any new signing, any new player, for sure as soon as they arrive it’s better.
“Because we’re going to start the Premier League in one week.
“If they start to work with us as soon as possible, it’s better if they can also understand the way we need to play.”
READ MORE: Community Shield: Elliot Anderson ineffective as Arsenal make easy work of Man City
Fernandez staying?
With Man City having not met Chelsea’s deadline to acquire the services of Fernandez, the Argentine is expected to stay at the Blues for the 2026-27 season.
“This was a deadline Chelsea imposed themselves and Man City were unlikely to play ball with a club imposing their own transfer deadlines,” Sky Sports News’ Alan Irwin explained on Friday.
“City boss Enzo Maresca is a big admirer of Enzo Fernandez. He understands exactly what he could bring to the club.
“But if the transfer is to come off it is very much dependent on if Rodri leaves Man City for Barcelona.”
READ NEXT: Chelsea set transfer deadline for the sale of Enzo Fernandez; Man City the frontrunners
