Barcelona To Sign World Cup Golden Ball-Winner Rodri In $87.8M Transfer Deal

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Barcelona has completed the transfer of midfielder Rodri from Manchester City on a multi-year contract for a reported $87.8 million fee. 

City will reportedly receive an initial $68.8 million fee, with achievable add-ons expected to bring the total package to at least $82 million for the midfielder entering the final year of his contract. Fresh off winning the Golden Ball and leading La Roja to a second World Cup trophy this summer, he is departing the Premier League.

The move brings an end to the 2024 Balon d'or winner's time in England, where he established himself as a central figure in Manchester City's midfield.

At Barcelona, Rodri will reunite with seven of his World Cup-winning Spain teammates. Those names include Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal.

This transfer marks a return to Spanish football for Rodri, who previously played for Atlético Madrid and Villarreal before moving to the Premier League in 2019. 

Rodri is expected to arrive in Barcelona soon and could be presented before Wednesday's Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al Ahly at Camp Nou. He joins a busy summer window for Barcelona, arriving alongside Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Jesse Bisiwu, and João Cancelo.