Barcelona remain optimistic of completing the signing of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, while they also plan to offer Marc Bernal an improved contract, a source told ESPN.
Barça failed with a first bid of around €50 million (£42.7m / $57.7m) for Rodri last week but remain in negotiations with City.
A club source told ESPN it is a “complex” deal to get over the line, but there is optimism they will get it done after already agreeing personal terms with the Spain international.
ESPN revealed over the weekend that City value Rodri at more than €70m (£60m / $81m), with Real Madrid also having shown an interest in the former Atlético Madrid and Villarreal man previously.
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Meanwhile, Barça will offer youngster Bernal a new deal to ward off interest from clubs in England, Germany and Italy, a source confirmed to ESPN.
Barça sporting director Deco will meet with Bernal’s representatives in the coming days to ensure he knows the club continue to count on him in the event Rodri arrives.
Bernal, 19, only penned a new contract until 2030 last year, but Barça promised him they would re-visit the terms of the agreement once he came back from an ACL injury.
After almost a year out, he made his return against Valencia last September and went on to make 33 appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals.
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Barça are well stocked in midfield already, with Pedri, Gavi, Fermín López and Dani Olmo among those available to Hansi Flick, while Eric García and Andreas Christensen have also played there in the past.
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Frenkie de Jong is another option, although the Dutch midfielder is currently sidelined with a knee injury, but Marc Casadó has been told he can leave the club this summer.
Bernal, though, remains firmly part of Barça’s long-term plans, with sources telling ESPN the player is also keen to renew his deal at the club he first joined in 2014.
