Despite being linked to Real Madrid all summer, Barcelona are now leading the race to sign World Cup Golden Ball winner Rodri.
Barcelona have emerged as the surprise favourites to sign Rodri if the Manchester City midfielder leaves the Etihad this summer, with the betting market undergoing a dramatic shake-up over the past 24 hours.
The reigning World Cup Golden Ball winner was available at 20/1 to join the La Liga champions when the market closed yesterday. However, sustained betting support has seen Barcelona backed into as short as Evens, making them the new market leaders.
At the same time, Real Madrid's odds have drifted from 1/4 to 11/8, suggesting confidence in Los Blancos completing a deal has cooled significantly. Meanwhile, Rodri's chances of remaining at Manchester City have also weakened, with his odds of staying at the Etihad drifting from Evens to 4/1.
Who is the Betting Favourite to Sign Rodri from Manchester City?
According to recent odds at Oddschecker, Barcelona are the betting favourites to sign Rodri from Manchester City, with an implied probability of nearly 50%, while their arch rivals Madrid now have a 42% chance to sign the World Cup winning captain.
Barcelona's Midfield Rebuild Gathers Pace
Barcelona's interest comes as the club continues to reshape its midfield under Hansi Flick. While Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong remain central to the long-term project, Rodri would add something Barcelona currently lack: arguably the world's best holding midfielder. His positional intelligence, ability to dictate tempo and defensive awareness have made him one of the first names on Pep Guardiola's teamsheet for several years.
The 30-year-old has already enjoyed enormous success in England, winning five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Club World Cup and numerous domestic honours with Manchester City. Individually, he capped off a remarkable 2024 by lifting the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Premier League player since Cristiano Ronaldo to win football's most prestigious individual prize.
Could City Really Let Rodri Leave?
Replacing Rodri would be one of the toughest tasks facing Maresca. City's record with and without the Spanish midfielder over recent seasons has highlighted his importance, with the club consistently posting a significantly higher win percentage whenever he starts. His composure under pressure, range of passing and tactical intelligence have made him arguably the most influential defensive midfielder in world football.
However, Barcelona's sudden emergence has injected genuine intrigue into the market. Financially, any deal would be hugely complicated, but the latest odds suggest bettors believe the La Liga champions have become genuine contenders.
For now, Barcelona have seized control of the betting market. Whether that momentum reflects inside information or simply strong punter confidence remains to be seen, but Rodri's future has quickly become one of the most fascinating storylines of the summer transfer window.
Rodri Next Club Odds Betting Insights
According to Oddschecker data from the last 24 hours, Manchester City have received 45.5% of all bets in the Rodri Next Club market. Barcelona account for 36.4% of the betting activity, while Real Madrid have attracted 18.2% of all bets placed.
Similarly, Oddschecker data from the last seven days suggests Real Madrid have received 44.7% of all bets in the Rodri Next Club market. Manchester City account for 42.1% of the betting activity, while Barcelona have attracted 13.2% of all bets placed.
