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Rodri’s Barcelona Wage and Reason For Rejecting Real Madrid

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Rodri is at the centre of a transfer battle between Barcelona and Real Madrid and the Manchester City midfielder is believed to desire a move to Camp Nou.

The Spaniard had been heavily linked with a move to Madrid after starring in his nation’s World Cup triumph. For a while now, he has been talked up for a switch to the Estadio Bernabeu, with Dani Carvajal previously admitting he constantly tried to convince him to join Los Blancos.

Barca have only recently come into the picture, but the Catalans have seemingly turned the City star’s head. If he is to leave the Etihad this summer, he wants to join Hansi Flick’s La Liga champions.

Rodri ‘Told’ Real Madrid Why He Prefers Barcelona Move

Rodri in action for Spain vs France at the 2026 World Cup via Reuters

Rodri enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign and won the Golden Ball after helping Spain become two-time world champions. With a year left on his contract at City, the 30-year-old is wanted by both El Clasico rivals.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Rodri has ‘definitively opted for a move to Barcelona and informed Real Madrid’. He is said to have held talks with Los Blancos, and while he’s shown the ‘utmost respect for the club ‘, this didn’t come with ‘complete conviction.’

Rodri reportedly even gave his reasons for prioritising a move to Camp Nou during those conversations. His relationship with Pep Guardiola, the Blaugrana’s style of play and the club’s coexistence with the Spanish national team are all thought to have been instrumental.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has previously spoken of his admiration for Guardiola’s Barca team. He even vowed to ‘be better’ than Sergio Busquets, whom he called ‘the best defensive midfielder of all time’ in an interview with Mundo Deportivo in October 2023.

Sergio Busquets applauding
Sergio Busquets applauding

Madrid understood Rodri’s explanations and conceded defeat in their pursuit of the 30-year-old. They viewed him as a ‘very interesting player due to his ability, charisma, captaincy and prominence at international level.’

Jose Mourinho has been kept in the loop and thinks he can find a solution within his current squad. It’s a blow for the Portuguese coach, but he has the likes of Manchester United-linked Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga to call upon as his midfield anchor.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

How Much Barcelona Will Be Spending On Rodri

Rodri and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

The report claims that Madrid hadn’t only spoken to Rodri about a potential move but also City’s higher-ups. These discussions didn’t result in negotiations or any talks over a transfer fee for the Spaniard.

Barca are now in pole position to land the former Atletico Madrid midfielder, and a deal will reportedly cost them around €60 million (£50 million). If he does make the move, he’ll become the second player to head to Catalonia from the Premier League this summer following Anthony Gordon’s arrival from Newcastle United for £69.3m.

Rodri is reportedly expected to be offered a four-year deal worth around €30 million (£25.7m) per year. That would make him one of the highest-paid players at the club, along with the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

Should he leave City, he’ll do so as one of the greatest players in the club’s history, having won every trophy on offer. He scored the vital winner in the 2023 Champions League final as Guardiola guided the Citizens to a historic treble.

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Fabrizio Romano Shares What He’s Hearing About Liverpool Signing Djed Spence

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Liverpool are not currently eyeing up a move to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Djed Spence despite reports, Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.

The Reds are looking to bolster their squad for new manager Andoni Iraola after seeing Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson depart on free transfers this summer, while so far Spaniard Victor Munoz has arrived as a new signing, alongside Jeremy Jacquet, who signed in January for this window.

Robertson’s departure, plus injury to Conor Bradley, has seen the full-back positions emerge as a position the club is reportedly targeting to strengthen, which has seen links to England international Spence, after it emerged he is likely to leave Spurs this summer.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Romano: Liverpool Not Interested in Spence

Djed Spence Face Mask England World Cup 2026 IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

Spence enjoyed a fine season with Spurs last season as he helped the team to avoid relegation, before starring at the World Cup with England under Thomas Tuchel, with the Three Lions finishing third.

His ability to play on both flanks is seen as a huge positive for many, but Tottenham are understood to be willing to sanction a move away for the 25-year-old as they are well stocked on full-back options currently and he wants to play regularly.

Liverpool have been strongly linked with the former Middlesbrough star, but when asked about the situation on the Market Madness podcast, Romano revealed that he has been told there is nothing to the rumours.

“Djed Spence, at the moment, I don’t have any concrete information on Liverpool, to be honest,” he said.

“So let’s see if they will jump into the race. But at the moment, I’m told there is not something concrete between Djed Spence and Liverpool so far.”

Djed Spence Defensive Stats at World Cup (per 90)

Appearances

4(4)

Minutes

403

Tackles

2.4

Interceptions

0.8

Clearances

2.1

Blocks

0.3

Spence ‘England’s Best Defender’

Djed Spence (England) vs DR Congo at World Cup Brett Davis via Action Images via Reuters

Spence has been a late bloomer at the top level, having struggled to get game time for Leeds in the Championship during the 2023/24 season, before becoming a regular for England earlier this year.

Thomas Tuchel has sung his praises regularly, calling him the fastest player in the squad, while Arsenal and Man Utd legends Ian Wright and Gary Neville described him as England’s best defender during the World Cup.

“Djed Spence was our best defender…he made decisive tackles.”

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Spence as an alternative to Lewis Hall, while the Magpies are also looking at him as a potential replacement for the 21-year-old.

But Liverpool are not currently in the race for his signature despite their squad needs.

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 06/08/2026.

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Arsenal Must Sign ‘Elite’ £140m Forward Instead of Vini Jr

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Arsenal have suffered a major transfer blow with the news that Vinicius Junior is set to sign a new contract to extend his stay with Real Madrid, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Arsenal chiefs and manager Mikel Arteta will be well aware that while the club don’t need a major overhaul of the squad this summer, they also can’t afford to stand still if they want to retain their Premier League title and go one step further in the Champions League by winning it next season.

Their summer transfer window has been underwhelming so far in that regard, with Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier the only arrivals so far, with both likely to be back-up options.

Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes is set to join them in north London after the Gunners agreed a deal worth £75m with their Premier League rivals for the Brazilian, in a statement deal.

Arteta will want more though, with the attacking area one that still needs work, given the Spaniard is yet to land the left-sided player he wants, while the club continue to be linked with new strikers too, such as Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.

The Argentina international is viewed as a dream signing for Arsenal, although his situation is complicated with Real Madrid and Barcelona both making bids for him this summer, and Atletico making it clear they have no interest in selling him to one of their LaLiga rivals.

Arsenal Miss Out on Vinicius Junior Deal

Vinicius Junior REUTERS/Paul Childs

Arsenal had made the Brazil international their top transfer target as they looked to add a high-profile left-sided attacker to Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of the new season, having missed out on signing Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.

The Gunners were all in on trying to persuade the 26-year-old to move to the Emirates, but it looks like they have failed in their mission with the Brazilian set to remain at the Bernabeu, according to Romano.

With 128 goals in 376 appearances for Real, it is no surprise that the north Londoners viewed Vinicius as a statement signing who could take them to the next level.

Arsenal Must Seal Bradley Barcola Move Instead

Bradley Barcola warms up before Paris Saint-Germain match REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

If Arsenal want a similarly high-profile player who could be available on the market this summer, they should look no further than Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.

The ‘elite’ France international has decided he doesn’t want to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes, with his deal due to expire in the summer of 2028.

PSG are ready to cash in on the 23-year-old this summer, but they are also demanding that their reported £140m valuation is met by any suitors.

Liverpool are determined to sign Barcola after seeing their bid to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig fall through, but while they are willing to pay around £100m for the Frenchman, there is still a gap in valuation.

Reports suggest that while Barcola is currently prioritising a move to Anfield, he is also ‘open’ to joining the Premier League champions, should they make their move.

Arsenal have a big opportunity to not only hijack their top-flight rivals to sign Barcola, but also land a player of huge quality who showed his top-class finishing ability for his country at the 2026 World Cup.

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Newcastle Make Contact to Sign Angelo Stiller to Replace Bruno Guimaraes

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Newcastle United have made contact with a prime target as they look to replace captain Bruno Guimaraes for new manager Matthias Jaissle.

The Magpies have seen their first-team squad ripped up this summer with Anthony Gordon joining Barcelona, Sandro Tonali joining Tottenham Hotspur, manager Eddie Howe resigning from his position, and Brazilian Bruno on the brink of a move to join the champions Arsenal.

Now the club are turning their attention towards making more new signings to ensure the squad is still capable of competing once the new season begins, having so far only signed young players for the outfield positions, and contact has been made over a deal for one star on their shortlist.

Newcastle Ask About Angelo Stiller

angelo stiller

According to a report by the Daily Mail, Newcastle have made contact over a deal to sign Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller this summer.

Stiller, who has been dubbed ‘the new Toni Kroos’, has emerged as one of the top young midfielders in Europe due to his performances in the Bundesliga, and was even part of Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad for the World Cup this summer, making one appearance against Ecuador as a substitute in the group stages.

The Toon are keen to find a swift resolution to their midfield issues, having only signed youngsters Seun Steur and Aladji Bamba so far this summer in that position, and the club feels as though they need someone more established to come in and replace Guimaraes.

The club has asked about Stiller’s situation, with Stuttgart understood to be open to a sale for the right price. The 24-year-old has a £35m release clause in his contract, although the German side are able to purchase that out of his contract by paying him £1.5m, which would then allow them to charge whatever fee they want.

Newcastle are also looking at Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmecha after his impressive World Cup for Germany, but Dortmund’s asking price is currently proving to be prohibitive.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Newcastle Must Be Quick With Transfers

Matthias Jaissle Al Ahli 2025 REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari via Action Images

Newcastle felt that the transfer sagas of last summer severely disrupted their preparation for the 2025/26 season, and they ended up finishing in a lowly 14th place and missing out on Europe entirely.

They tried to avoid that this summer by sanctioning Gordon and Tonali’s exits early, but they have been rocked again by a rather late departure, and now the new manager must be backed in the final weeks of the market to get the squad up to scratch to be able to compete.

A new midfielder is essential for that to happen, and Stiller would undoubtedly be a good start, with his style fitting the attacking style of Jaissle. It won’t be an easy deal to do, but the board and recruitment staff must move quickly to get players in, or they risk another tough campaign.

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