Barcelona are confident they can reach a compromise agreement with Manchester City for £68 million-rated Rodri as they prepare a revised bid.
The Spanish champions yesterday agreed to send their captain, Ronald Araujo, to Liverpool on a season-long loan with an option to buy for £47m and are willing to offload a number of other players as they look to re-invest the funds into upgrading their squad.
Spain World Cup hero Ferran Torres is in talks to join Paris St Germain, while midfielder Marc Casado and winger Roony Bardghji were left out of the Barca squad that travelled to Udine in Italy yesterday for a pre-season tournament.
The 30-year-old Rodri has underlined to City that his desire is to join Barca and, while their initial £38m-plus-add-ons bid was dismissed as ‘derisory’, they are drafting an improved offer in an effort to bridge the gap in valuation.
Rodri originally had Real Madrid courting him, but they were ‘respectfully informed’ they were no longer his priority. His preference is to link up with Barcelona coach Hansi Flick at Camp Nou.
The 30-year-old Rodri has underlined to City that his desire is to join Barca and, while their initial £38m-plus-add-ons bid was dismissed as ‘derisory’, they are drafting an improved offer
Barca want to add a striker and a centre back as well, with Tottenham’s Cristian Romero on their shortlist, among others.
Romero has been discussing moves to Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, who are considered favourites for his signature, but a deal has still to be agreed with Spurs.
The 28-year-old Argentine will cost around £35 million and Atletico want to reach agreement before Barca attempt to step in.
Liverpool, meanwhile, expect Araujo to have a medical today ahead of completing the formalities on his season-long loan.
The 27-year-old Uruguay international is comfortable playing at centre back and right-back, which gives Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola vital cover as he waits for Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni to recover from injuries.
Liverpool are continuing discussions with Paris St Germain over a double deal for wingers Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye.
