Manchester City have told Barcelona they must pay at least £70m to sign midfielder Rodri, as the Spanish club plots an improved bid of £55m plus add-ons, which would take the offer to £60m. This remains £10m short of City's demand, having originally stated they wanted at least £60m for the World Cup winner.
Rodri's Future Dominates Transfer Talk
Rodri snubbed a move to bitter rivals Real Madrid in the belief he would be joining the La Liga champions. However, unless Barcelona president Joan Laporta is willing to pay what City want, the deal will not happen.
City know the pressure is now on Barcelona to meet the asking price for someone the Spanish giants have promised to sign. The midfielder wants to move to the La Liga giants, making his departure the biggest potential move of the window.
Bouaddi Deal Progressing
In terms of incomings, Lille and Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi remains high on City's shortlist, and a deal for the teenage sensation is said to be progressing.
Busy Final Weeks Ahead
With just three weeks to go in the transfer window, City face more transfer questions than answers ahead of the new campaign. The Blues are in Community Shield action against Arsenal this weekend and welcome back the last of their returning World Cup stars to training this week.
Record signing Anderson will be among the cohort heading back to the City Football Academy, and he is the standout arrival of a summer that might only just be getting started. The World Cup has impacted Maresca's ability to do much early business, but City were able to sign Elliot Anderson while he was at the summer tournament.
In other moves, Enzo Maresca replaced James Trafford with Geronimo Rulli in a £1.7m move from Marseille. Marmoush, Reijnders and Savinho are all facing uncertain futures ahead of the 11pm deadline on Tuesday, September 1.
