Barcelona club succeeded in achieving decisive progress in the race to sign Spanish midfielder Rodri from Manchester City, after managing to conduct the negotiations away from the spotlight in a process marked by an unprecedented level of secrecy that allowed the Catalan club to alter the course of a deal that had previously seemed closer to Real Madrid.
The Catalan newspaper "Sport" revealed details of the decisive hours in Barcelona’s negotiations with Rodri, confirming that the Catalan club moved quietly behind the scenes after all parties ensured no information leaked that could jeopardize the agreement, at a time when Real Madrid had been the most advanced party in attempts to sign the player before the situation changed suddenly.
The beginning of the shift
The turning point dates back to Thursday, July 30, when Barcelona’s sporting director Deco ended a short period of rest in Croatia and was expected to travel directly to England to join the team’s preseason training camp.
Instead, the Portuguese official chose a different path, returning first to Barcelona and remaining there for more than a day before rejoining the squad, a move that raised questions inside the club, especially since the coaching staff led by Hansi Flick was already in England preparing for friendly matches.
That return was not incidental, however, as Deco dedicated his time to a highly important meeting concerning a transfer file the club’s management described as strategic, after he had already initiated preliminary contacts with Rodri’s representatives to assess the terms of the deal and the feasibility of completing it.
Secret meeting that changed Rodri’s calculations
According to “Sport,” Barcelona asked all involved parties to maintain the strictest confidentiality to prevent any leaks that could disrupt the negotiations, particularly given the sensitivity of competing with Real Madrid.
At the end of July, Rodri was in Catalonia attending a wedding on the Costa Brava coast, an occasion that facilitated a direct meeting between the player and Deco.
The two met at a luxury hotel, where the discussion lasted approximately two and a half hours and Deco outlined the club’s sporting project, the role expected of Rodri within the team, Hansi Flick’s tactical vision, and the player’s importance in building Barcelona’s midfield in the coming years.
The meeting produced a clear shift in the player’s stance; although Real Madrid had been the frontrunner and Rodri had listened to their offer and held talks with them, he had not given final approval before meeting Deco.
Flick enters the picture
Barcelona’s efforts did not end with Deco’s meeting. Hansi Flick played a direct role in persuading the player, holding several calls with Rodri in which he explained his tactical vision and the leadership role he envisioned for him within the squad.
Barcelona’s management viewed direct communication between coach and player as essential at this stage, especially given the intense competition with Real Madrid and the need to demonstrate the club’s determination to secure one of the world’s best midfielders.
Hidden card
The newspaper also highlighted the influential behind-the-scenes role played by Dani Codina, Barcelona’s head of player services, whose name did not appear publicly in the negotiations but who helped bridge positions.
Codina’s importance stemmed from his prior relationship with Rodri during his time at Manchester City, where a strong bond had formed, fostering trust and comfort in communications with the player.
Codina was among those who helped arrange the secret meeting between Rodri and Deco and reinforced the player’s sense of connection to the Catalan project.
The decisive moment
In the days that followed, contacts continued between Barcelona and the player’s representatives under strict media silence until last Thursday, when the club received a call from those close to Rodri confirming that the Barcelona project had convinced the player and that negotiations had entered an advanced stage.
After a series of calls and secret meetings, Barcelona moved close to completing the deal, having reversed the situation and displaced Real Madrid from the leading position it had held only days earlier.
Only the final details remain to close the agreement, a deal Barcelona views as a strategic step in rebuilding its midfield by signing a player with extensive experience and leadership qualities, while its success would represent a major setback to Real Madrid’s ambitions of securing one of the world’s top midfielders.
