Barcelona's deadline for finalizing the Rodri deal

Barcelona are continuing their intensive efforts to finalize the signing of Spanish midfielder Rodri from Manchester City, with the Catalan club keen to complete negotiations in the coming days. According to the Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona have submitted their second offer for Rodri, and club officials are working to expedite negotiations to reach a final agreement with Manchester City. Barcelona have set August 12 as a target date for finalizing the deal, as coach Hansi Flick wants Rodri available at the club's training ground by that date. Barcelona used the weekend to make progress in negotiations, but the deal is not yet complete, as Manchester City are holding firm on their €80 million asking price for the Spanish midfielder. This comes despite Barcelona being considered the favorites in the race to sign Rodri, with reports indicating that the player prefers a move to the Catalan club over Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Rodri remains a City player until a formal agreement is reached regarding his future, saying: "At the moment, it looks like he will be in Manchester on Wednesday." Barcelona fans are anxiously awaiting the coming hours, amid intensive efforts by the club's management to finalize negotiations before the target date and definitively decide Rodri's future.