Jorge Valdano believes Barcelona have targeted Rodri because they were aware of the transformational effect he could have had at Real Madrid.

The Spain captain is set to complete a move to Camp Nou this week after Manchester City accepted a third bid for Rodri last night that could rise to £65.3million.

Rodri had previously been linked with a switch to Madrid before having a change of heart and opting to join their arch-rivals.

Barca’s interest came as a surprise and Valdano, who was Madrid’s sporting director between 2000 and 2005 and then director general from 2009 to 2011, thinks it is a tactical move designed to keep the 30-year-old from having a major impact at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The former Argentina striker told Movistar Plus Deportes: “For me, Rodri is worth €35m to Barca for what he would contribute and €40m to Real Madrid.

“It seems to me that he is a strategic signing for Barcelona.

“He’s not going to influence Barcelona’s game that much, although he will put the stamp on everything that Hansi Flick proposes.”

Rodri snub a major blow for Mourinho’s Real Madrid

Rodri’s decision to reject a move to the capital is a major blow to Jose Mourinho as he looks to replace the midfield experience lost in recent seasons following the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

And Valdano admits the former Atletico Madrid man would have had a major impact.

“At Real Madrid, he would have revolutionised the team and would have improved the whole club,” he added.

“The passes to the strikers would have reached them sooner and he would have picked them out better.

“Rodri is one of those players that doesn’t have much of an impact on the goal, but the whole game. That’s why he’s the best player in the world.”

Rodri to replace De Jong at Barcelona

Rodri will join a Barca squad stacked with players he played alongside as Spain won the World Cup this summer. His arrival at Camp Nou will be timely with Frenkie de Jong currently sidelined.

De Jong suffered a partial tear of a meniscus cruciate ligament during the World Cup with reports suggesting his preferred method of recovery – involving rest and rehabilitation – is at odds with the club’s, who want him to undergo surgery.

The Netherlands international is likely to be sidelined for several months, meaning Rodri will be key to Barca’s hopes of retaining the Liga title for a third successive year.

Flick’s side open their league campaign against Elche on Sunday.