Barcelona reached an agreement in precept with Manchester Metropolis to signal Rodri in a deal price round €76.5 million.
The Spaniard is ready to reach within the Catalan capital later at this time earlier than present process his medical on the membership’s amenities tomorrow.
The thought is to current Rodri in entrance of the Camp Nou throughout the Joan Gamper Trophy in opposition to Al Hilal.
Now, in accordance with Fabrizio Romano, Rodri is ready to be handed a really acquainted shirt quantity at Barça, with the No. 16 jersey now out there.
Rodri notably requested for the jersey quantity throughout contract discussions with the membership, and Barcelona have determined to grant him that want.
The quantity turning into out there may hardly have come at a greater time, with Fermin moving to the No. 7 shirt vacated following Ferran Torres’ departure.
No. 16 has change into Rodri’s quantity
For Rodri, the importance is clear.
The Spanish midfielder has worn No. 16 all through his Manchester Metropolis profession, having chosen it when he arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2019.
It’s also the quantity related to him at worldwide degree. He wore Spain’s No. 16 whereas lifting the World Cup round a month in the past.
So, with Barcelona deciding to provide him 16, there can be no want for Rodri to determine a brand new id at his new membership.
Fermin has made the choice very straightforward
The quantity had belonged to Fermin at Barcelona, however his transfer to No. 7 has conveniently created the emptiness simply as Rodri closes in on turning into a Barça participant.
Had the Spanish attacking midfielder needed to maintain that quantity, it might need been quite uncomfortable to ask him to vacate it for an incoming signing.
Nonetheless, Fermin appears to have had no drawback shifting to the enduring No. 7, which was beforehand worn by many Barça legends.
Aesthetically, it is extremely troublesome to argue in opposition to Rodri No. 16. The one different temptation might need been giving him the No. 5, a quantity Pau Cubarsi already holds.
There may be additionally one thing becoming about Fermin taking one other step ahead with a extra distinguished quantity whereas an skilled arrival doubtlessly inherits the shirt he leaves behind.
A quantity that merely is sensible
In fact, squad numbers are fascinating and assist promote shirts, however on the pitch, their relevance could be very minimal.
Rodri brings management, pausa and intelligence to the midfield, and that won’t change whether or not he wears 16, 6 or 26 on his again.
Nonetheless, aside from simply the sporting a part of it, soccer can also be about imagery and advertising.
Sure gamers change into inseparable from sure numbers, and after seven years sporting 16 at Manchester Metropolis, Rodri has made it his personal.
With Barcelona signing a Ballon d’Or winner, they needed to give him the jersey quantity he needed, and the membership can be grateful to Fermin for being gracious sufficient to simply accept the swap.
It stays to be seen how the Catalans’ new No. 16 fares within the upcoming seasons.
