Pep Guardiola says Rodri will be out "for a long time" with the knee injury he suffered against Arsenal, but the Manchester City manager is retaining hope that it could be "less than expected."
The midfielder has travelled to Barcelona for tests after being forced off in the first half of Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
He is set to undergo surgery, but Guardiola says a decision has not yet been made about what type of operation he needs.
Sources have told ESPN that, depending on the final decision taken by medical staff, Rodri could be set for between five and eight months on the sidelines.