The reaction from Manchester City supporters to Rodri’s reported move to Barcelona has been anything but calm.
After news emerged that Barcelona had agreed a £65 million deal to sign the Spanish midfielder, City Xtra’s post on X immediately triggered a wave of emotional responses from supporters. Some fans questioned the transfer fee, others criticised the club’s handling of the situation, while several simply predicted disaster for the new era under Enzo Maresca.
According to Goal, Barcelona have agreed a £65 million deal for Rodri, with the midfielder set to sign a four-year contract. The report says the transfer is expected to be completed in the coming days, bringing an end to Rodri’s seven-year spell at Manchester City.
For City supporters, however, the biggest concern is not simply losing a world-class midfielder.
It is losing Rodri at this particular moment.
“We’re cooked” – City fans fear the worst
Among the strongest reactions was a simple message from Okere Juju:
“We’re cooked”
That feeling was echoed by several supporters.
MFC(MBLLZ) wrote:
“Bro we are so finished”
Topher was even more blunt, posting:
“We’re f**ked”
These reactions might appear exaggerated, but they underline the enormous importance Rodri has had to Manchester City.
The Spaniard was not merely another midfielder. He became the player around whom much of City’s structure was built.
His ability to control possession, protect the defence, dictate tempo and arrive in dangerous areas made him one of the most complete midfielders in world football.
Goal’s report highlights the scale of his contribution during seven seasons at City. Rodri won 12 major honours with the club, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
That explains why supporters are struggling to imagine the team without him.
“£80M of nothing” – frustration over the transfer fee
One of the clearest themes among the City Xtra reactions was frustration over the amount Barcelona are reportedly paying.
Spittn’straightfacts posted:
“£80M of nothing”
GEN similarly referenced the previous valuation:
“£80m or nothing” they said ffs
Meanwhile, Martin K questioned the difference between the figures being discussed:
“65 mil pounds is fine i thought you said euros?”
The comments show that some supporters are less concerned about Rodri leaving than they are about whether Manchester City are receiving enough compensation.
For a player of Rodri’s importance, £65 million feels underwhelming to some fans.
That is particularly true when considering the current transfer market.
Manchester City themselves are reportedly considering a huge investment in midfield. Goal says Chelsea have demanded £120 million for Enzo Fernandez, who has emerged as one of the potential replacements for Rodri.
That comparison has understandably annoyed some City supporters.
If replacing Rodri could potentially cost almost twice as much as the fee received for him, questions about the club’s transfer strategy are inevitable.
City fans question the club’s decision-making
The anger was not directed solely at Barcelona.
Some supporters appeared to blame Manchester City’s hierarchy.
Big Tuna posted:
“This club man… wrap it up”
Josh Sharpe simply called the situation:
“Pathetic”
Another supporter, The Vibe, wrote:
“wtf got robbed. Viana is shit”
The underlying message is clear.
There is a section of the fanbase that believes City should have extracted more money from Barcelona.
Rodri remains one of the most important players in European football. He also arrives at Barcelona after an extraordinary summer with Spain, having helped his country win the 2026 World Cup. Goal describes his return to form after his knee injury as an impressive comeback.
That makes the reported £65 million fee particularly difficult for some supporters to accept.
“Imagine if Rodri wouldn’t say goodbye to Man City…”
Not every reaction was about the money.
ItsBlue56 offered a much more emotional response:
“Imagine if rodri wouldn’t say goodbye to man city…”
That comment captures another major part of the fan reaction.
Rodri’s departure represents the end of an era.
He arrived at Manchester City in 2019 from Atletico Madrid for £62.8 million. Seven years later, he leaves having established himself as one of the defining midfielders of the club’s modern history.
For supporters who watched him develop into one of the best defensive midfielders in football, seeing him leave is naturally difficult.
There is also the timing.
Pep Guardiola’s era has already ended, with Enzo Maresca now in charge after succeeding him in June 2026.
That means Maresca is not simply replacing one player.
He is attempting to build a new Manchester City team after the departure of one of the most influential managers in the club’s history.
Losing Rodri at the same time makes that transition even more challenging.
“Good deal” – not every City supporter is angry
Interestingly, the reaction was not universally negative.
Nonso offered perhaps the most positive response:
“Good deal”
That is an important perspective.
While many fans are understandably devastated, £65 million is still a substantial transfer fee for a midfielder entering the next stage of his career.
There is also the possibility that Manchester City have decided the time is right to rebuild the midfield rather than continue relying on the same core.
Maresca has already shown at previous clubs that he is willing to adjust his midfield structure.
Goal reports that he is interested in Enzo Fernandez as Rodri’s potential replacement. The report also notes that Elliot Anderson has already joined City, giving Maresca another midfield option.
If City can successfully reinvest the Rodri money, the transfer could eventually look very different.
“We are NOT HAPPY”
F8DEN summarised the mood perfectly:
“We are NOT HAPPY”
That may be the simplest description of the reaction.
Manchester City supporters understand that football is constantly changing. Players leave. Managers leave. New stars arrive.
But Rodri is different.
He was the heartbeat of the midfield during one of the most successful periods in Manchester City’s history.
His departure creates a tactical problem that cannot be solved simply by signing another midfielder.
Who replaces his defensive positioning?
Who controls games from deep?
Who gives the centre-backs protection?
Who slows the game down when City need control?
And perhaps most importantly, who becomes the new leader in midfield under Maresca?
Those are questions that supporters will be asking throughout the coming weeks.
“Shit happens” – some fans are already looking forward
Amid the negativity, flash gordon offered a calmer response:
“Shit happens.”
That attitude could ultimately prove useful.
Manchester City have rebuilt before.
The club lost major players during previous transitions and still managed to remain competitive. The challenge for Maresca will now be to ensure Rodri’s departure does not destabilise the entire squad.
The first step will be finding the right replacement.
Goal reports that City are considering a move for Fernandez, although Chelsea’s £120 million valuation represents a major obstacle.
Whether City pay that figure, negotiate a lower price or identify another target could define the next stage of Maresca’s rebuild.
Manchester City fans have every reason to be worried
The reactions to the Rodri transfer reveal a mixture of anger, sadness and fear.
“Bro we are so finished.”
“We’re cooked.”
“Pathetic.”
“Good deal.”
“Shit happens.”
Together, those comments show the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City’s new era.
The £65 million fee is not necessarily the biggest issue. The real concern is whether Manchester City can replace what Rodri provided on the pitch.
Maresca now has an enormous task.
He must establish his own identity, rebuild the midfield and convince supporters that Manchester City can continue competing at the highest level without one of their greatest-ever midfielders.
Barcelona may believe they have secured a bargain.
Manchester City fans certainly hope their club has a plan.
For now, though, the mood among the supporters is overwhelmingly clear.
Rodri is leaving, and City fans are worried about what comes next.
