Mansion Sports – Rodri is surprisingly on the verge of joining Barcelona, despite reports over the past few days linking the Manchester City star with a move to Real Madrid.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Rodri is interested in the Catalan club's project and has given Barcelona's management the green light to open discussions with Manchester City regarding his transfer.

Barcelona believe they have overcome the biggest obstacle that stood in their way, which was determining exactly what Rodri wanted.

Barcelona's main priority this summer remains strengthening the attacking line. However, the opportunity to sign one of the best midfielders in the world has led the club to seriously consider the possibility of completing the transfer.

Rodri is an ideal fit for Hansi Flick's project in various aspects, including quality, experience, and leadership ability.

The report also states that Barcelona are making every effort to complete the transfer in order to cover the absence of Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is currently sidelined with an injury.

An Excessive Number of Midfield Players

Rodri's arrival at Barcelona would make the Catalan club's midfield even more crowded with quality players, potentially reaching the point of having an excessive number of midfielders.

Barcelona already have numerous options in the midfield. Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Marc Casado, and Marc Bernal are all competing for a place in the starting lineup.

This wealth of options presents Hansi Flick with a beneficial challenge. The German coach can choose from several high-quality players and rotate the squad freely without reducing the team's strength.

Expected Difficulties in the Centre-Forward Position

Meanwhile, Barcelona are facing several major complications in their efforts to sign Argentine striker Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.

Reports indicate that another forward could also leave the club. Ferran Torres, whose contract will expire next summer, is now getting closer to leaving Camp Nou.

Torres has given Paris Saint-Germain permission to open discussions with Barcelona regarding the possibility of his move to Parc des Princes.

If the Alvarez transfer fails and Torres does leave, Barcelona will need a leading striker immediately. Without such a player, they will struggle to have a natural centre-forward.

Flick may be forced to use a false nine option to fill the vacancy if Torres departs and Alvarez's move does not materialize.

Robert Lewandowski left the club this summer after his contract expired, and the Catalan giants have yet to find a replacement for the Polish striker.

Rodri's Transfer and the Threat to the Plan to Register a New Striker

Barcelona still want a natural centre-forward to strengthen their attack, and the club have prepared several alternatives if an agreement for Alvarez cannot be reached.

However, the substantial cost expected to be required to sign Rodri could leave Barcelona unable to register the new striker they have long targeted under the Financial Fair Play regulations.

The newspaper Sport reported that Rodri is one of the highest-paid players at Manchester City. Barcelona will attempt to adjust his salary to fit within the wage structure established by the club while continuing to comply with the salary limit imposed by the Spanish league.

Rodri's salary increased after he won the Ballon d'Or and now exceeds €18 million per year.

At Barcelona, Rodri would receive a top-tier salary that reflects his technical value and status, and he would rank among the highest-paid players in the squad.

After that, negotiations will begin with Manchester City, who are seeking a substantial transfer fee of between €55 million and €70 million to release the player.

Paying around €70 million for Rodri could force Barcelona to abandon their dream of signing Alvarez. His current club, Atletico Madrid, insist that they will only allow him to leave if his full €500 million release clause is paid.