Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca remained tight-lipped about Rodri’s future on Friday amid speculation linking the Spanish midfielder with a move to Barcelona, saying “anything can happen” before the transfer window closes.
The uncertainty comes after an apparent picture of Rodri travelling on a budget Ryanair flight from Madrid to Liverpool went viral on social media. The former Ballon d’Or winner was spotted carrying a small suitcase bearing his name, Spain flag and squad number.
“First of all, we already said the transfer window is open, we can buy and sell players, anything can happen,” Maresca told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Premier League champion Arsenal in Cardiff.
“I’ve just seen Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug, he looks good, so we’ll see what happens.”
Maresca confirmed that the World Cup winner is fit to return to training after undergoing back surgery at the end of July.
Asked if he was aware of reports that Chelsea had set a Friday deadline for bids for Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, and whether that meant City would be conducting any transfer business in the next 24 hours, Maresca smiled and said the club would not make any new signings on Friday.
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While talk of Rodri, a cornerstone of City’s success in recent seasons, potentially leaving the club has dominated headlines, Maresca insisted his attention was on Sunday’s match rather than the transfer window.
“For sure there are things we need to do. For now, how many, I don’t know. It can be one, it can be two (players),” he said. “Depends also if players are going to leave. It depends.
“Now in this moment, 48 hours before a final, my first in this club, my focus is not about players leaving or arriving, it’s just how we can prepare the best way in the game and try to win the final.”
The Italian dismissed suggestions that the Community Shield, which pits the Premier League champion against the FA Cup winner, should be viewed as a glorified friendly, saying City was determined to begin the season with silverware.
“For me personally it’s a trophy. And when the trophy is there, the final is there, you always try to win the game,” Maresca said. “So no friendly at all. It’s a trophy that we’re going to try our best to win, to win the first trophy.”
Maresca is seeking his first silverware as Manchester City manager after taking charge following Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of last season.
Published on Aug 14, 2026