Manchester City midfielder Rodri left the club after seven years to join Barcelona for a fee around £65 million, ending a highly successful spell at the Etihad Stadium on August 18, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The 30-year-old Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d'Or, four Premier League titles, the 2023 Champions League, and captained Spain to victory at the 2026 World Cup during his time at City [1, 4, 3].

City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the club's intent to find a replacement, telling reporters, "How do we solve that problem? We try to find the new Rodri, it is what it is" [1, 4]. He compared the challenge to previous transitions at the club, saying, "When David Silva was here, everyone was worried – Kevin (De Bruyne) arrived. When Sergio Aguero was here, everyone was worried – Erling (Haaland) arrived. When Fernandinho left, Rodri arrived. It's just about this. When they leave, you need to be good at recruiting the next one" [4].

Rodri was nearing the end of his contract; City made efforts to extend it but talks failed to produce a new deal [1, 2]. Maresca added that if a player is unhappy, like Rodri expressed, the club will not stand in his way. "He can go, absolutely. If he is not happy, he is not going to perform in the right way," he said [2].

To bolster the squad, City have already signed England international midfielder Elliot Anderson for a club-record £115 million and are in negotiations for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi [1]. They also remain interested in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, though these links carry medium confidence [1].

Maresca expects further transfer activity before the window closes and is not concerned about players linked to exits such as Omar Marmoush or Nico Gonzalez [4, 3].

On the pitch, City lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield ahead of their Premier League opener against Bournemouth [2]. Maresca praised his players' training attitude since he took charge, noting it represents a change after Pep Guardiola's long tenure [2].

The club's focus now shifts to its Premier League kickoff against Bournemouth, as Maresca pursues a new midfielder to fill the void left by Rodri [4, 3].