ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Manchester City have rejected an opening offer of £38.5 million from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri, with the Premier League champions insisting they would demand a fee above £60 million for the Spain international.

The 30-year-old midfielder has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and is yet to agree a new deal, fuelling uncertainty over his future this summer.

As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Barcelona have emerged as the leading contenders for Rodri’s signature after receiving encouragement from the player’s camp to begin negotiations with City. The Catalan club submitted their first formal offer on Friday, but it was immediately turned down.

City are willing to consider a sale but want a significant fee for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, who remains one of the most influential defensive midfielders in world football.

Rodri had previously been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but reports indicate that talks with the Spanish giants have now ended as Barcelona push ahead with their interest.

Barcelona sources said discussions with the player’s representatives are ongoing, although no agreement has been reached between the clubs.

Rodri’s recent seasons have been affected by injuries, including a serious knee problem that ruled him out for much of the 2024-25 campaign and a hamstring issue that disrupted his return.

However, he regained his best form at the World Cup, where he helped Spain secure their second title and was named the tournament’s best player.

The midfielder is currently recovering from back surgery and is expected to return to Manchester next week to continue his rehabilitation with City.

With the transfer window entering its second week of August, City are keen to resolve Rodri’s future quickly as they look to identify a possible replacement.

The club are also in talks over a move for 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, although the French side’s £86 million valuation remains a major obstacle.

Meanwhile, reports from Spain suggest Real Madrid made a strong attempt to sign Rodri after Spain’s World Cup success.

According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Rodri’s agent Pablo Barquero confirmed that Real Madrid presented an attractive offer and held positive discussions with the player’s representatives.

The report stated that Real Madrid officials, including president Florentino Perez and chief executive Jose Angel Sanchez, made significant efforts to complete the deal.

However, Rodri eventually decided to pursue another option, leading Real Madrid to end their interest and avoid prolonging negotiations.

Barcelona’s renewed push now places them at the centre of the race for the midfielder, as City prepare to determine the future of one of their most valuable players.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Egyptian sensation Mohamed Salah has reportedly become the highest-paid footballer in the Turkish Super Lig following his move to Trabzonspor, with his weekly salary surpassing that of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.

According to salary data published by Capology, the former Liverpool star is earning £342,500 per week after signing a two-year contract with the Turkish club, making him the league’s top earner.

Salah’s reported wages place him ahead of Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen, who previously occupied the top spot with an estimated weekly salary of £307,795.

Former Chelsea and France midfielder N’Golo Kante, now with Fenerbahce, ranks third on the list, taking home £225,716 every week.

The Super Lig’s growing financial strength is further reflected in the salaries of several other international stars who now ply their trade in Turkey.

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, who recently joined the Turkish top flight, reportedly earns £225,716 per week, matching Kante’s salary.

Former Bayern Munich and Germany winger Leroy Sane is also among the league’s highest earners, with reported weekly wages of £184,677.

Three other high-profile players Mason Greenwood, Milan Skriniar, and Marco Asensio are each said to receive £164,157 per week.

Brazilian attacking midfielder Anderson Talisca reportedly earns £153,980 weekly, while Belgian international Leandro Trossard takes home £133,460.

Rounding off the list are Nathan Ake and Matteo Guendouzi, who are each reported to earn £123,118 every week.

Salah’s arrival is widely seen as another major statement of intent by the Turkish Super Lig, which has increasingly attracted established European stars through lucrative contracts and ambitious transfer deals.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The English Football Association has withdrawn its support for under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino after his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, according to reports on Thursday.

The BBC and Sky said the FA has sent a letter underlining its refusal to back Infantino, who wanted to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through his FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The plan sparked a cascade of criticism for Infantino and was rejected by European body UEFA and two other continental confederations, forcing him to scrap the scheme last week.

Amid growing calls for his resignation, the 56-year-old received the backing of senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.

But UEFA turned the heat back up on Infantino on Thursday when it said it would maintain its plan to boycott the men’s and women’s World Cups in protest at his “shabby” plot.

UEFA said in a statement that FIFA’s support of Infantino “changed nothing”.

According to British media, the English FA has joined the chorus of disapproval by refusing to support his bid for re-election as FIFA president next year.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who now works for FIFA, and ex-Portugal star Luis Figo are among the leading names from the football world to condemn Infantino’s plan.

As Infantino clings to his role, global players’ union, FIFPRO on Thursday condemned FIFA and its president for their “abuse of power”.

FIFA had said during Wednesday’s meeting that “mistakes” were “acknowledged”.

World football’s governing body insisted it was “not the intention” for the FIFA Council and member associations to “feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently”.