Overview
- Barcelona completed the signing of Rodri on Tuesday, agreeing a four‑year deal until 30 June 2030 with Manchester City valuing the operation at about €76.5 million including bonuses.
- Rodri said Barcelona was his first option after a call with coach Hansi Flick, a choice that gives Barça a proven organizer in midfield and a symbolic victory over Real Madrid.
- Atlético de Madrid has refused to sell Julián Álvarez, with president Enrique Cerezo and coach Diego Simeone publicly insisting he will stay and Simeone leaving him out of the Malaga squad.
- Spanish media report Álvarez is unhappy at Atlético, and that pressure plus the club's no‑sale stance makes his move to Barcelona unlikely this window.
- As the transfer deadline approaches, Barcelona is pursuing alternatives — names reported include Lautaro Martínez, Mikel Oyarzabal and Viktor Gyökeres — while also preparing tactical fixes such as using Raphinha or Anthony Gordon as a false nine.