Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca announced the club’s intention to search for a successor to Rodri following the midfielder’s transfer to La Liga champions Barcelona earlier this week. Rodri established himself as one of the premier midfielders globally during his seven seasons with the team, securing accolades such as the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, four Premier League titles, and scoring the decisive goal in the 2023 Champions League final.

The 30-year-old Spanish international captained his national team to a World Cup victory this summer and has penned a four-year contract with Barcelona, who agreed to a transfer fee estimated at around £65 million.

Maresca addressed the challenge of filling Rodri’s role, stating, “How do we solve that problem? We try to find the new Rodri, it is what it is.”

Reflecting on Rodri’s journey, Maresca noted, “[Before] Rodri arrived here, he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, he didn’t win the Champions League, he didn’t win the Club World Cup. He joined the club then he achieved many important things.”

During his time at City, Rodri played nearly 300 matches. Although the Premier League side had offered him a contract extension, negotiations ultimately fell through as he entered the final year of his existing deal.

Maresca added, “I was thinking on Thursday night, when David Silva was here, everyone was worried, and Kevin [De Bruyne] arrived. When Sergio [Aguero] was here, everyone was worried [when he was going to leave] and Erling [Haaland] arrived. Fernandinho? Rodri arrived. When they leave, you need to be good in recruiting the next one. They are all similar, David, Kevin, Fernandinho, Rodri, Erling – there is one more – it is normal, it is change, it is not a problem, go again and try to do the right things.”

Potential Transfers Ahead for City

City appears poised for a busy final phase of the transfer window, with both incoming and outgoing transactions anticipated.

The club has already secured the signing of England international midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a record fee of £115 million.

Additionally, the club is reportedly in advanced talks to sign Lille’s Moroccan standout Ayyoub Bouaddi. Reports indicate that the club holds some hope of acquiring Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, with interest also emerging for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister.

In related developments, Tottenham has reached an agreement for a £75 million transfer to sign Brazilian winger Savinho and is currently negotiating to acquire City teammate Omar Marmoush.

When asked about his outlook on the club’s transfer activities, Maresca stated, “I think it’s a feeling for most of the clubs, not all of the clubs because some clubs probably prefer to do the business at the beginning or at the end of the previous season.” He continued, “I think we are almost in the same situation as all of the clubs. There are 10 days to go, hopefully we can do the things that we need to do.”

Maresca acknowledged challenges arising from players wanting to leave but asserted the importance of adapting: “We don’t want to keep players here who don’t want to stay, for sure. Probably the normal thing in the transfer window is that you have to wait until the last week, because all the clubs try to keep players until the last week and then sell for more money. It’s normal.”

Manchester City will “try to find the new Rodri” after the Spain captain left the club earlier this week to join La Liga champions Barcelona, says manager Enzo Maresca.

Rodri became one of the best midfielders in the world during his seven seasons at the Etihad Stadium, winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or award as well as four Premier League titles and scoring the only goal in the 2023 Champions League final.

Advertisement

The 30-year-old led his country to a World Cup triumph during the summer and has signed a four-year contract at the Nou Camp after Barca agreed to pay a fee in the region of £65m.

“How do we solve that problem?” asked Maresca. “We try to find the new Rodri, it is what it is.

“[Before] Rodri arrived here, he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, he didn’t win the Champions League, he didn’t win the Club World Cup. He joined the club then he achieved many important things.”

Rodri played nearly 300 games for City. He was in the final 12 months of his contract and although the Premier League side offered him an extension, talks did not yield a result.

Advertisement

Maresca added: “I was thinking on Thursday night, when David Silva was here, everyone was worried and Kevin [De Bruyne] arrived. When Sergio [Aguero] was here, everyone was worried [when he was going to leave] and Erling [Haaland] arrived. Fernandinho? Rodri arrived.

“When they leave, you need to be good in recruiting the next one. They are all similar, David, Kevin, Fernandinho, Rodri, Erling – there is one more – it is normal, it is change, it is not a problem, go again and try to do the right things.”

What business could City do?

City look like they will be busy in the remaining days of the transfer window with both incomings and outgoings likely.

Advertisement

They have already signed England international midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club record £115m fee.

The club remain in advanced talks to sign Lille’s Moroccan star Ayyoub Bouaddi. BBC Sport has been told they have also not given up hope of signing Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, while there is also interest in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have agreed a £75m fee to sign Brazilian winger Savinho and are also in talks to acquire City team-mate Omar Marmoush.

Asked if he is calm about the club’s transfer business, Maresca said: “I think it’s a feeling for most of the clubs, not all of the clubs because some clubs probably prefer to do the business at the beginning or at the end of the previous season.

Advertisement

“I think we are almost in the same situation as all of the clubs. There are 10 days to go, hopefully we can do the things that we need to do.

“It doesn’t help that there are players that for different reasons want to leave, that is for sure, but we need to adapt and also we don’t want to keep players here who don’t want to stay, for sure.

“Probably the normal thing in the transfer window is that you have to wait until the last week, because all the clubs try to keep players until the last week and then sell for more money. It’s normal.”