Barcelona’s newest signing, Rodri, is expected to be part of the Joan Gamper Trophy celebrations this week, but fans will have to wait before seeing the Spanish midfielder make his debut.
According to La Vanguardia, Rodri will not play against Al Ahly on Wednesday, although he will take part in the events surrounding the Joan Gamper Trophy.
It must be remembered that the experienced midfielder is expected to arrive in Catalonia later today after Barcelona reached an agreement with Manchester City for his transfer.
Rodri to Barcelona is a done deal
As reported before, Barcelona have reached an agreement with Manchester City for the signing of the Spain captain, with the total package potentially rising to €76.5 million.
The deal includes a fixed fee of €60 million, with additional bonuses attached.
Rodri will arrive in Barcelona later today. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
More than €11 million of those add-ons are considered highly achievable, meaning Manchester City could realistically receive at least €71.5 million from the operation.
Rodri is now expected to land in Barcelona later today and complete the remaining formalities before being officially unveiled.
The club plans to present their new midfielder tomorrow at their training facilities rather than at Spotify Camp Nou, with construction work preventing the stadium from hosting the event.
Barcelona will keep Rodri out of Al Ahly match
Rodri will undergo his medical examination tomorrow before officially joining his new Barcelona teammates.
Although he will be involved in the Joan Gamper Trophy events against Al Ahly on Wednesday, the midfielder is not expected to play any minutes.
Rodri will undergo his Barcelona medical tomorrow. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
The reason is pretty much straightforward. Rodri will have only just arrived at the club and will not have trained with Hansi Flick or his new teammates.
Barcelona are therefore expected to use the occasion to introduce Rodri to the fans rather than give him an immediate debut.
With the La Liga season approaching, Flick and his staff will likely first focus on integrating the midfielder into the squad and assessing his physical condition before deciding when he is ready to feature competitively.
His presence at the Gamper Trophy, however, should still give Barcelona fans their first major opportunity to welcome one of the club’s biggest signings of the summer.