Rodri is on the verge of completing his move to Barcelona, with the Spain midfielder having already made his preferred shirt number clear ahead of the expected official announcement.
Barcelona have reached an agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of the former City player and are expected to confirm the deal within the coming hours. Reports indicate the Catalan club will pay an initial fee of 60m euros, with a further 16m euros available through incentives and other variable payments.
Rodri is set to sign a four-season contract and will earn more than 13m euros net per year. That salary would make him one of Barcelona’s highest-paid players.
The midfielder has also asked Fermin Lopez to give up the number 16 shirt, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. Rodri wore the number throughout his time with Manchester City and with the Spain national team, making it the shirt most closely associated with his career.
Romano reported on X that Fermin Lopez has agreed to change numbers. The Barcelona midfielder is preparing to wear the number seven shirt instead, clearing the way for Rodri to continue with his familiar number when he begins his new chapter at the club.
Barcelona are expected to confirm Rodri’s final squad number when they formally announce the transfer. However, all indications suggest the Spain international will retain the number 16 shirt at Barcelona and continue wearing it at Spotify Camp Nou.
The agreement brings Rodri closer to an official move after Barcelona settled the financial terms with Manchester City. The fixed fee, potential add-ons, contract length and salary have all been reported, while the only remaining detail surrounding the player’s arrival is expected to be confirmed with the club’s announcement.
For Fermin Lopez, the change would mean moving from the number 16 shirt to number seven. For Rodri, it would allow him to preserve the number he has worn for both club and country as he starts his Barcelona career.
