Barcelona Target Rodrygo in Ambitious Move, But €100M Price Tag and Rivalry Pose Major Obstacles
FC Barcelona have made the decision to pursue the signing of Rodrygo Goes from Real Madrid, according to UOL Esporte. The Catalan club is reportedly in contact with the Brazilian forward, but completing the deal will depend on multiple complex factors including a valuation of over €100 million.
The move, if finalized, would be one of the most dramatic transfers in recent memory, rekindling memories of the controversial Luis Figo saga from the early 2000s. But unlike that high-profile Madrid swoop, the roles are now reversed with Barcelona looking to lure a star away from their fiercest rivals.
Rodrygo Open to Exit, But Price Remains Prohibitive
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has reportedly set Rodrygo’s price at over €100 million, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. While there may be room for negotiation, the initial figure reflects interest from top clubs across Europe, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
Rodrygo, who has lost prominence under new manager Xabi Alonso, is said to be evaluating his future. A transfer to Barcelona would signal a bold career move but would also come with intense media scrutiny.
Can Barcelona Afford It?
The short answer is no—not yet. Financially, Barcelona are not currently in a position to meet Real Madrid’s valuation. The club would need to offload players to generate funds and comply with La Liga’s financial regulations, particularly Rule 1.1, which governs salary caps and transfer spending.
Names like Ronald Araújo and Gavi have surfaced as possible sales, though both players have stated their desire to stay. Even with potential departures, Barcelona would still face the administrative challenge of registering Rodrygo with La Liga.
Would Real Madrid Sell to a Rival?
Another major hurdle is the historic rivalry. Florentino Pérez is believed to be reluctant to sell Rodrygo to Barcelona, despite the player’s declining role in the squad. The Real Madrid president remains aware of the symbolic impact such a transfer would have, especially after the backlash Barça once received for selling Figo to Madrid in 2000.
Internally, Real Madrid are said to prefer selling Rodrygo abroad, with Premier League clubs posing less of a reputational risk than a direct move to Camp Nou.
