The Diomandé deal remains held up by administrative issues over agent representation, with a complaint filed by his former agent Max-Alain Gradel against Roc Nation delaying his signing.
Rodri's move faces no such paperwork problems, but Real Madrid are not rushing it either, aware that the World Cup-winning midfielder is recovering from back surgery and will be unable to train with his prospective new team-mates for several weeks regardless of when a deal is struck.
Rodri, who won the Golden Ball as Spain lifted the World Cup this summer, underwent the procedure in Madrid after long-standing discomfort, with no firm return timetable yet set.
Manchester City are unwilling to lower their asking price and continue to demand at least €70m for Rodri, a sum Real Madrid have no intention of paying. City, for their part, feel no urgency to sell or raise funds, meaning the deal could drag on, a delay that might work in Barcelona's favour.
Rumours linking Barcelona with Rodri, which had circulated some time ago, have resurfaced, with Cadena SER reporting that the Catalan club are closely monitoring his situation.
Barcelona want to sign a midfielder to cover for Frenkie de Jong, who faces several months out, though it would first require Rodri himself to genuinely want the move to Catalonia and make that clear, having repeatedly professed his love for Real Madrid in the past.
The radio station notes that Rodri does like the project Barcelona are building, and that the Blaugrana can stretch to a deal worth around €50m, still some way short of City's demands. Barcelona's hierarchy are also examining how to fit the 30-year-old's wages into LaLiga's financial fair play calculations, which currently leave them limited room to manoeuvre.
Real Madrid remain firm favourites for now, but that could change in the coming days.