Barcelona face a significant midfield challenge after Frenkie de Jong sustained an injury that will sideline him for an extended period. The Spanish club are now actively exploring the transfer market to address the void left by the Dutch international’s absence during the upcoming campaign.
Multiple Targets in Midfield Search
The Catalan outfit have cast a wide net in their pursuit of reinforcements, with Azzedine Ounahi emerging as a budget-friendly candidate under consideration.
Barcelona are not limiting themselves to a single option, however. According to reports from Cadena SER, the club are also closely tracking Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder, as a potential solution to their midfield shortage.
Journalist Nil Sola has indicated that de Jong’s injury has reignited internal discussions about whether a midfield reinforcement is necessary this window. While such an addition is not deemed the sporting director’s top priority, Rodri’s name continues to feature prominently in Barcelona’s thinking.
The club’s hierarchy regard Rodri as among the elite options available at his position. Barcelona are understood to be monitoring developments and would be prepared to make a move should Rodri signal his willingness to join the project.
Financial Hurdles and Real Madrid Competition
A significant obstacle stands in Barcelona’s path: accommodating Rodri’s wages within Financial Fair Play restrictions. The club have reportedly identified a transfer fee of around €50 million as affordable, though the overall feasibility of the deal remains contingent on the wider financial structure.
Barcelona’s pursuit is further complicated by Real Madrid’s advantage in the race. The defending Spanish champions have already tabled a verbal offer worth approximately €50 million to Manchester City for Rodri, who was the standout performer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This positions Barcelona in a precarious situation, forced to wait and observe developments rather than actively negotiate. Any genuine opportunity to enter the competition would require Real Madrid to withdraw or Rodri to express a clear preference for Barcelona.
What This Means for Barcelona’s Midfield Options
Barcelona cannot simply move de Jong on to free up space or funds, as the player remains contracted to the club regardless of his injury status. Consequently, any acquisition of Rodri would depend entirely on Barcelona’s ability to generate available capital through other means.
The club maintain confidence that their midfield is adequately staffed under normal circumstances, but de Jong’s unavailability has created an unexpected scenario forcing them to reconsider their transfer strategy. Rodri remains a priority target, but Barcelona are resigned to a holding pattern pending developments elsewhere in the market and Real Madrid’s negotiations with Manchester City.
