MAN City star midfielder Rodri was spotted returning to the UK from Spain amid growing rumours of a multi-million-euro transfer to Barcelona.
The Spanish former Ballon d’Or winner, 30, was photographed by a fan while queuing for a Ryanair flight from Madrid to Liverpool on Thursday, reportedly making his way back to Manchester for pre-season.
It comes after Man City rebuffed a €60 million offer from Barcelona, standing firm on their initial request of around €80 million, though sources at both clubs said a new offer will likely be made over the weekend.
In the photograph taken by the fan on Thursday, Rodri was pictured wearing a cap and shades as he waited in line opposite his gate.
“Can we talk about Rodri… getting on our Ryanair flight from Madrid to Liverpool!” the fan wrote on Instagram.
In a comment below her post, the user said her children gave Rodri a World Cup sticker they had fished out of their bags, with the champion fist-bumping them in return.
“He ended up being alright,” the user wrote.
Rodri, who was crowned the World Cup’s best player this year after leading Spain to a historic tournament win, has been linked with a transfer back to his homeland since Real Madrid initially made contact with the player’s entourage last month.
However, Barcelona has since swooped in and taken the lead over their Madrid rivals in the negotiations, with the only remaining hurdle appearing to be Man City’s financial demands.
Speaking at his pre-Community Shield press conference on Friday, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said: “As I have already said, the window is open. We can buy players, sell players.
“Anything can happen. I just saw Rodri now in the building, I just gave him a big hug and we will see what happens.”
City have reportedly been testing the waters to find a replacement for Rodri, making contact with Chelsea over Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
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