Manchester City rejects Barcelona's second €65 million bid! Rodri refuses contract renewal, Enzo becomes top replacement.

Multiple British media sources such as Sky Sports, The Times, and The Guardian have confirmed that Manchester City has turned down Barcelona's second bid for Rodri, worth about £55 million (€65 million). With talks at an impasse, City has set its sights on Chelsea's Enzo Fernández as the top candidate to replace the Spain international should he leave.

Although Rodri has only one year left on his contract with Manchester City and has expressed a strong desire to move to Camp Nou while refusing to extend his deal, City remains uncompromising on the transfer fee. In the eyes of the Sky Blues, Rodri—the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup best player—is the absolute cornerstone of their tactical system. The €65 million offer falls far short of their valuation for the world-class defensive midfielder. City would rather risk losing him on a free transfer next summer when his contract expires than compromise on their principled stance regarding the price.

Faced with Manchester City's tough stance, new manager Maresca has already begun working on a "Plan B." Enzo Fernández has been identified as the top target to fill Rodri's void, largely due to Maresca's deep understanding and trust in the midfielder from his time coaching Chelsea. As a new-generation midfield core, Enzo boasts excellent passing vision and interception ability, making him a suitable candidate to adapt to City's tactical system. However, this replacement deal also faces challenges: Chelsea's valuation of Enzo is as high as £120 million, and they are taking a firm stance, which leaves City's "refresh" plan full of uncertainties.

This tug-of-war over Rodri's transfer is currently deadlocked in a high-stakes pressure game. Manchester City is betting on Barcelona's final limit, while Rodri is waiting for the call from Camp Nou. As the summer window continues to tick away, whether City can successfully complete the Enzo replacement while holding out for a high price will be the key factor determining the ultimate outcome of this deal.

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