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Real Madrid had submitted a bid of less than €40 million for Manchester City midfielder Rodri before Barcelona moved decisively to take control of the transfer, according to El Chiringuito TV.

The Spain midfielder is now just one step away from joining Barcelona, but new information has revealed that Madrid had made a genuine effort to sign him before he opted for their biggest rivals.

The 30-year-old had been under Madrid’s watch for several weeks once it became apparent that his future at Manchester City was no longer certain.

Rodri wanted to return to Spain and was said to be open to a move to Madrid, but Barcelona got there first.

Madrid put forward an offer worth around €45m for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. Other reports have indicated that the opening proposal was below €40m, but both accounts underline Madrid’s strong interest in Rodri.

Even so, that bid fell well short of Manchester City’s valuation.

Barcelona, by contrast, showed far greater intent to finish the deal and are reported to have agreed a package worth €60m in guaranteed payments, with a further €11m possible in add-ons.

Madrid’s interest in Rodri went beyond simply keeping tabs on his situation. Los Blancos ultimately chose to explore the possibility of bringing him to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Rodri would have been a natural fit in a Madrid midfield that could have benefited from his experience, composure and ability to control the tempo of matches.

Barcelona, however, presented him with a clearly defined role. Manager Hansi Flick wanted an experienced midfielder capable of adding leadership and stability alongside the club’s younger players.

Frenkie de Jong’s injury also heightened the need for another midfield organiser. In the end, the sporting project carried more weight than Rodri’s long-held desire to play for Madrid.

Madrid’s reported €45m bid also suggested that the club were not prepared to pay over the odds for Rodri.

The Spaniard remains one of the finest midfielders in world football, but he has already turned 30 and has only recently returned from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Madrid weighed the long-term value of making such a significant investment, but Rodri’s key role in Spain’s World Cup triumph was enough for Barcelona to spend heavily.