Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, better known as Rodri, is already in Barcelona to become Barça’s major signing of the summer. While the club is still waiting to find out who will ultimately become their new No. 9, the Madrid-born midfielder, winner of the Ballon d’Or at the last World Cup and the 2024 Ballon d’Or, is the headline arrival in the Catalan market, following the signings of Gordon, Adeyemi, Bisiwu, and Cancelo.
FC Barcelona and Manchester City reached a preliminary agreement yesterday for the transfer of the Madrid midfielder, as previously reported by MD. Barça will pay €60 million guaranteed for the player, plus €11 million in variables depending on the trophies won.
After landing in Barcelona, and posing in front of the many media outlets waiting for his arrival, Rodri gave his first words as a new Barça player, pending the official signing of his contract.
“I’m happy to be here. The last few days have been intense, and I’m delighted to arrive. Playing for Barcelona is a dream. We’re going for the Champions League and for everything that comes our way,” he told the journalists who were waiting for him.
Afterwards, the midfielder went to the hotel where he will stay until he finds his new home.
Early Tuesday morning, Rodri will undergo his medical and physical examinations, a step required before signing his contract with FC Barcelona, which will run until June 2024. The club’s plan is to officially present him on Tuesday at 1 p.m., provided that all bureaucratic procedures and the exchange of contracts with Manchester City have been completed beforehand.