Barcelona have moved a step closer to signing Spain midfielder Rodri after the player authorised the La Liga champions to open negotiations with Manchester City, a club source told AFP on Thursday.

“Today Barcelona is closer to being able to consider this transfer than yesterday. We have now secured the player’s agreement to open negotiations with Manchester City,” the source said, confirming Spanish press reports.

The development could see Barcelona hijack eternal rivals Real Madrid’s reported interest in the 30-year-old, as Los Blancos seek to strengthen their midfield under new manager Jose Mourinho. However, the club source cautioned that Rodri’s green light for the talks offers “no guarantee” about a transfer to Barcelona.

Catalan media reported that Rodri was convinced by a phone call from Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who has demanded the recruitment of an experienced defender or midfielder from club management. Defensive solidity has been identified as an area of weakness at Barcelona, and a serious knee injury looks set to keep usual captain Frenkie de Jong out of the Blaugrana’s midfield for months.

Rodri, who captained Spain to their second World Cup crown at this year’s tournament in North America and picked up the Golden Ball award for best player of the competition, has amassed trophies under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, including four Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League — scoring the winning goal against Inter Milan in the final.

City are reportedly willing to let the former Atletico Madrid player go for around 60 million euros ($69 million) with one year left on his contract. Having already suffered a series of knee injuries in recent times, Rodri underwent a minor back operation in late July, raising doubts about his fitness for the start of the new season.