Rodri has arrived in Barcelona ahead of completing his move from Manchester City, saying he is determined to help the Catalan club win the UEFA Champions League and every other available trophy.
The Spain midfielder reached the city on Monday evening after Barcelona and Manchester City reached a preliminary agreement over his transfer on Sunday, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
Barcelona are expected to pay 60m euros upfront for the 29-year-old, with a further 11m euros potentially due in add-ons linked to the trophies won by the club.
Rodri was met by a large group of media representatives when he arrived in Barcelona. He gave his first comments as an incoming Barcelona player, although the transfer still requires the completion of the formal procedures and the signing of his contract.
“I’m happy to have arrived, it has been a busy few days,” Rodri told reporters. “I’m happy to be here. Playing for Barcelona is a dream. We will try to win the Champions League and everything available to us.”
Following his brief exchange with the media, Rodri travelled to the hotel where he will stay while arrangements are made for his new home.
He is due to undergo medical and physical examinations on Tuesday morning. Those tests are the next step before he signs his contracts with Barcelona and the move is formally completed.
The preliminary agreement represents one of Barcelona’s most significant deals of the summer transfer window. The proposed structure includes the guaranteed 60m-euro payment as well as the additional 11m euros in performance-related variables.
Rodri’s arrival in the city came shortly after the agreement was reached, allowing him to speak publicly about his move before completing the medical process. His comments focused on the ambition attached to joining Barcelona, with the midfielder making clear that the club’s objective is to compete for every honour available.
The Spanish international will now wait for the results of his medical and physical examinations before putting pen to paper. Until those steps are completed, the transfer remains subject to the formal signing of his Barcelona contract.
His first appearance in the city was met with considerable media attention, reflecting the importance of the deal for the Catalan club. Rodri is expected to remain at his hotel until he moves into his new residence.
Barcelona’s agreement with Manchester City includes a fixed transfer fee and further payments dependent on the team’s success. The variable element is tied to the trophies Barcelona win, while Rodri has already set out his own ambitions by identifying the Champions League and all other available competitions as targets.
