Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that “anything can happen” amid reports that Barcelona have made a bid for midfielder Rodri.
City are understood to have rejected an opening offer of £38.5 million ($52 million) from the La Liga champions for the World Cup-winning midfielder.
The 30-year-old has just one season remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and has been strongly linked with a return to Spain.
City are reportedly seeking around £68 million for Rodri, who was named player of the tournament at the recent World Cup in North America.
Barcelona could return with an improved offer, a move that could potentially prompt City to pursue Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Rodri was the last City player to report for pre-season training, arriving back on Friday after undergoing back surgery following his starring role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of this weekend’s Community Shield clash against Arsenal, Maresca said the club could still see significant movement during the transfer window.
“First of all, we already said the transfer window is open, we can buy and sell players, anything can happen,” Maresca said.
“I just saw Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug. He looks good, so we’ll see what happens.”
Maresca added that he would not comment on players contracted to other clubs but acknowledged that City still had business to complete before the transfer window closes.
“For sure there are things we need to do,” he said. “Now, how many, I don’t know. It can be one, can be two, it depends also if players are going to leave.”
Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and went on to win multiple Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League under former manager Pep Guardiola.
He also helped Spain win Euro 2024 and was awarded the Ballon d’Or that year before a serious knee injury ruled him out for much of the 2024/25 campaign.
Chelsea have reportedly set a Friday deadline concerning an offer for Fernandez. However, when Maresca was asked whether that meant City would make a move later in the day, he ruled out immediate action.
“Not today to be honest, I don’t think we’re going to do something today,” he said.
City have already spent £116 million on England midfielder Elliot Anderson following Bernardo Silva’s departure.
Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is reportedly close to joining Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah in a deal estimated at £51 million.
Reijnders only joined City from AC Milan for £46.5 million last year but started just half of the club’s Premier League matches.
Maresca said it was understandable that the midfielder would want more playing time.
“Tijjani’s situation is like James Trafford’s situation, some more players, but I think when the club, the player, the manager, they all think the same way, that probably the best decision for a player is to go, you have to go,” he said.
Attention will now turn to the Community Shield, where Premier League champions Arsenal will face FA Cup holders Manchester City.
Arsenal finished seven points ahead of second-placed City last season as they ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title.
Maresca acknowledged Arsenal’s strength but insisted City would look to close the gap and challenge for the title this season.
“Arsenal have shown in the last two or three or four, five years, that they are always there,” he said. “It is a fantastic team from Mikel.
“They won the Premier League, they showed how good they are in this moment. But at the same time, we are City and we’re going to try to close the gap and compete.”
