Stefan Borson suggests Man City's deadline for completing Rodri deal

Barcelona are quickly running out of time to strike a deal with Manchester City for the signing of Rodri this summer.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the current situation is disrupting Man City's entire transfer window.

Enzo Maresca's side kick off the 2026-27 campaign in just nine days, taking on Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 16 August.

Then, one week later, the Citizens welcome Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium in their Premier League opener, but Rodri's future remains unclear.

Having entered the final 12 months of his contract, Man City will have few opportunities to get a fee for their Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder.

David Ornstein has reported that Barca have submitted a €45million (£38.6m) bid plus add-ons for the player, but the offer is not even being considered.

Man City to give Barcelona until the Community Shield

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson suggested that Man City want a deal completed before the Community Shield if Rodri is to leave this summer.

"Man City, historically, have said, 'If the deal is not done by, let's say, the Charity Shield, we're not playing ball, he's not for sale,'" he said.

"Will City let him go right up to the window? We'll have to see. But it's very disruptive for City. They do want to replace him if he goes.

"And that's above and beyond the [Ayyoub] Bouaddi deal, which I think will still happen regardless.

"I think City plan to be pretty busy between now and the close of the window but that looks like that's going to be the case with a lot of teams.

"It's a question of whether City are prepared to play that game with Rodri or whether they just go, 'Look, if you haven't brought the offer by the Charity Shield, we're not selling this summer'."

Who could be signed as Rodri's replacement?

If Borson is right, and Bouaddi isn't being signed as the Spaniard's direct replacement, supporters will be curious about who his successor will be.

Elliot Anderson and Bouaddi would be an incredible midfield partnership, with Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis and Tijjani Reijnders to come off the bench.

However, very few players in world football can bring what Rodri brings to the pitch, so it would be understandable if Maresca were searching for a direct replacement.

Atalanta's Ederson, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Barcelona gem Marc Bernal could all be in the conversation, but no movement has been made yet.