Pakistan, Aug. 8 -- Manchester City have rejected an opening offer of £38.5m from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri. City are open to selling the Spaniard, but would demand more than £60m.

The 30-year-old enters the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and is yet to sign a new deal, with speculation rife about his future this summer.

It looked like Real Madrid would be his next destination but La Liga rivals Barcelona are now leading the race after sources told BBC Sport on Thursday that the club had the player's approval to open negotiations with City. The offer was made on Friday. Barca sources had initially told BBC Sport there were no guarantees any deal would be made but the situation now looks to be developing.

The...