Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca did not confirm any details about Rodri's future on August 14, amid widespread speculation linking the Spain midfielder with a move to Barcelona [1, 2, 3, 4]. Rodri was spotted traveling on a budget Ryanair flight from Madrid to Liverpool on the same day, carrying a small suitcase marked with his name, national team flag, and squad number [1, 2, 3, 4].
Maresca confirmed Rodri is fit to return to training after undergoing back surgery at the end of July [1, 2, 3, 4]. "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 said [1].
When asked about potential transfer activity, Maresca said the window is open and "anything can happen," adding, "For sure there are things we need to do. For now... it can be one, it can be two (players). Depends also if players are going to leave. It depends." However, he stated the club would not make any new signings on August 14, Friday [1, 2, 3, 4].
Maresca dismissed suggestions that the Community Shield is merely a friendly. He called it a trophy and emphasized his desire to win his first final as City manager. "For me personally it's a trophy. And when the trophy is there, the final is there, you always try to win the game. So no friendly at all," he said [1, 2, 3, 4].
Reports from source s4 claim Real Madrid has cooled interest in Rodri due to the financial burden of the transfer, though other sources do not mention this development [1, 2, 3, 4].
Manchester City will face Arsenal in the Community Shield final in Cardiff on August 16 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Maresca said his focus remains on preparing the team to win the final, not on transfer rumors, 48 hours before the game [1].
