Manchester City have rejected an improved offer from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri, despite needing quick funds to finance a move for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.

Having seen their first bid of around £43million rejected by City, Barca returned this morning with a second offer of £55m plus add-ons but that has also been turned down with the Premier League club looking for closer to a fixed fee of £65m to part with the Spain captain.

Rodri himself is desperate for the deal to progress over the next 24 hours so that he does not have to report back to City on Friday to have his back assessed by club doctors following a minor operation.

City are aware of the 30-year-old’s desire to return to his homeland and are willing to facilitate a move but only if the player’s valuation is met. Rodri has less than 12 months left on his contract at the Etihad and a parting of the ways is inevitable.

Enzo Fernandez deadline complicates matters for City

City’s position is weakened slightly, however, as Barca will be aware that Enzo Maresca’s first-choice replacement for Rodri is Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.

Chelsea yesterday announced they had set a deadline of 5pm UK time on Friday for any interested parties to agree to their £120m asking price for the Argentina midfielder.

That puts pressure on City to accept a slightly lower fee for Rodri in order to push through a deal for Fernandez.

City’s coffers may also be boosted by the potential sale of Tijjani Reijnders.

The Netherlands international is a target for Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah, managed by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, with a club-to-club deal worth £60m almost agreed, according to reports.

It remains to be seen if Reijnders, 28, wants to move to the Middle East with Nottingham Forest also interested.

Reijnders joined City from AC Milan for £46.5m 12 months ago but has struggled to make an impact, netting five goals and adding two assists in 28 Premier League appearances.