Enzo Maresca wants to bring Pedro Neto to Manchester City. The manager worked with the Portuguese winger during his time at Chelsea and remains a big admirer. Sources confirm the interest is genuine and concrete.

Neto is not entirely untouchable at Stamford Bridge. Some figures at Chelsea have discussed letting him go if the right offer arrives. The expected fee sits around €80m.

Why City need another winger

The Blues are likely to sell Savinho this summer. Omar Marmoush has struggled for playing time and his future is in doubt. That leaves City short of options out wide, and Maresca sees Neto as a strong fit.

Liverpool have shown some interest in Neto too, though it is less strong for now.

Chelsea's summer spending

Chelsea have spent heavily again, most notably £117m on Morgan Rogers. That kind of outlay means sales will probably need to follow. Internal conversations at the club have been informal, but the message is clear: Neto can go if an acceptable bid comes in.

City are also expected to test the waters for Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto. Signing all three would be unlikely, but Neto remains the priority for Maresca.

"Pedro Neto is not entirely untouchable for Chelsea," one source told me. "There have been some informal discussions, internally, I should say, and they're all on board with letting him go if City or anyone else comes in with the right offer."

Selling to rivals

Chelsea have shown they will sell to Premier League rivals when the circumstances suit. Andrey Santos joined Manchester United this summer. Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz both left for Arsenal in recent years.

This is not yet at an advanced stage. But the groundwork is being laid, and Maresca is the driving force behind it.

Enzo Maresca stood in front of the press for the first time as Manchester City manager and let slip a line that cut through the usual managerial platitudes. “I feel like I’m back home,” he said. That word — home — carries weight for a man who has already been here before, as EDS manager and as Pep Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 season. He knows where the kettle is, so to speak.

The Italian didn't stop there. He spoke about the club having just three managers in 17 years. “That is not normal and has not happened often,” he noted. He is right. It is almost unheard of in modern football.

The envy of the league

Consider the alternative. Maresca left his post as Chelsea manager last season. At Chelsea, they are erratic operators in the transfer market and have gone through a staggering amount of managers in recent years. At City, the hierarchy provides stability and the ability to work as he sees fit. The difference is night and day.

Maresca praised the stable environment that City has created. He believes that the patience and time that the City hierarchy typically provides is the ideal setting for him. “The organisation is the main thing,” he said.

That organisation has a track record. Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini were given time to establish their styles and both won the Premier League and a domestic trophy. Then came Guardiola.

Learning from the best

Pep Guardiola spent a decade as City manager. The hierarchy allowed him the space he needed to successfully implement his philosophy and standards. The result? Twenty trophies in a decade. Guardiola often praised the board for allowing him that time and space. Maresca knows this better than most — he watched it from the inside.

“I consider Pep the best coach in the world in the last 20 to 25 years,” Maresca said. “It is a challenge.” He is not naive about what follows a long-serving legend. “Also, in the history of managers with many years at the same club, [their replacements] struggle a bit. Sir Alex, Arsene… but it is also a challenge to do the right things.”

He is confident, though. “I am confident that we can continue to do a great job and continue to do the job that has been done in the last 13 years, since Roberto Mancini was here.”

The ingredients are there. The club will give Maresca the time he needs to succeed. The question is whether he can cook the meal.

Enzo Maresca has played down the lingering uncertainty around Manchester City’s financial case, insisting he feels no personal worry about the situation. The Italian returned to the club this summer to take over from Pep Guardiola, having been part of the coaching staff during the treble-winning 2022/23 campaign.

Speaking about the allegations, which were first made public in February 2023, Maresca was blunt. “I don’t have any concerns personally,” he said, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. “Nothing has happened.”

The case, still widely known as the '115 charges', concerns alleged breaches of financial regulations across several seasons. City deny wrongdoing and continue to deny all allegations. The total is now widely reported as 130.

According to talkSPORT, the hearing concluded in December 2024, yet no verdict has been published. Maresca pointed out that the questions have not changed in three years. “The only thing I can say is three years ago, the Treble season, I was here and it was the same words about this. In three years, it’s still the same.”

City’s pre-season begins on 1st August against Inter Milan.

Abdukodir Khusanov has signed a five-year deal keeping him at the Etihad until 2031. The Uzbek defender's previous contract was due to expire in 2029. Now he joins a growing list of City players committed to long-term stays.

The confirmation caps a busy week. The club unveiled Elliot Anderson as their marquee summer signing. Phil Foden's new deal was also revealed — running until summer 2030 with an option for a further 12 months.

More extensions in the pipeline

Jeremy Doku is reported to be finalising fresh terms until 2031, though the club has not yet announced it. Josko Gvardiol, currently contracted through 2028, is reportedly expected to sign an extension until 2031 soon. European heavyweights continue to circle, but City appear to be securing his future.

Erling Haaland remains City's longest-tenured contractual commitment, locked in on a deal running through to 2034.

Outgoing business

Not everyone is staying. Issa Kabore and Josh Wilson-Esbrand are expected to leave this summer. Kalvin Phillips is also expected to depart, either permanently or on loan.

Marcus Bettinelli, meanwhile, was handed a one-year extension this summer, keeping him at the club as third-choice goalkeeper for another season.

One to watch

Rodri is entering the final year of his current deal. Speculation over a move to Real Madrid continues. City have work to do there.

Rodri has formally notified Manchester City's hierarchy of his desire to leave for Real Madrid this summer. The message, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, was delivered clearly: he wants to join the Spanish giants for both sporting and family reasons.

The club had been working on the assumption that a new contract remained a viable option. That path now appears to be a dead end.

It leaves City's planning for the new season in a familiar, uncomfortable place – knowing that one of their most important players wants out, with pre-season around the corner and the transfer window still open.

Real Madrid are now the odds-on favourites to secure the 19-year-old, with one bookmaker pricing them at 1/2 to complete the deal. Diomande enjoyed a strong season in the Bundesliga, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in 33 appearances for Leipzig. The Ivory Coast international has also attracted interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, and PSG, but it is Madrid who have opened club-to-club talks.

Liverpool were once favourites but have drifted to 9/1. City are also at 9/1, while Arsenal are out at 16/1. PSG, despite agreeing personal terms with Diomande in June, are now at 7/2 – largely because the player has only opened the door to Real Madrid since that agreement. The saga is expected to conclude in the coming weeks.

City turn attention to Ibrahim Mbaye?

While the Diomande chase heads towards the Bernabéu, a separate name has emerged. City are reportedly in the race for PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye, an 18-year-old who scored three goals and provided two assists last season. Mbaye is pushing for an exit despite his contract running until 2028.

Former senior Aston Villa scout Bryan King told Football Insider that City are the favourites to sign the Senegal international, ahead of reported interest from Villa.

Whether City accelerate that pursuit or look elsewhere remains to be seen, but the message from the Diomande camp is clear: this one is heading to Madrid.

Instead, the initiative has shifted to Real Madrid.

Fabrizio Romano reports that City went silent on the 19-year-old days ago, following routine calls to check on his situation — a pattern that previously played out with Arsenal's interest. The Ivory Coast international, signed by Leipzig for around €20 million after a breakout Bundesliga season, is said to have only opened the door to Real Madrid since agreeing personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain in June.

Real Madrid are now in club-to-club talks with Leipzig, while PSG continue working to convert those personal terms into a formal bid. With both clubs actively engaged, City risk being forced to look elsewhere for wide reinforcements. Savinho remains linked with a move to Tottenham, but no alternative for Diomande has been publicly identified.

Whether this represents a permanent withdrawal or simply a pause while City reassess value in the market is unclear. Should Diomande's preferred move to Madrid stall for any reason, the Blues' earlier readiness to hit a nine-figure valuation could see them re-enter the picture. For now, though, the ball sits firmly in the Spanish capital.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid claim to have an agreement with the midfielder personally. Barcelona are said to be interested, though at an earlier stage. Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport reports all three threads simultaneously.

Rodri is 30 and the reigning Ballon d'Or holder. City's preference all summer has been to keep him.

What the noise tells us

The most striking element of the story is Real Madrid's reported personal agreement with the player — a claim that, if true, would bypass the club entirely. PSG's choice to contact City directly adds a different dimension: they are testing the waters, not walking into them. Barcelona's interest remains the vaguest of the three.

Hawkins compressing all three conversations into the same report suggests this is a developing situation rather than a concrete one. No bid has arrived. City have not changed their stance.

For now, the club's position is clear: Rodri is not for sale. Whether that holds against the combined weight of Europe's wealthiest clubs is another matter. Pre-season has not even started. Buckle up.

Manchester City are one of several clubs prepared to meet RB Leipzig’s nine-figure asking price for Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old winger who lit up the Bundesliga last season. But according to reports from Germany, the Ivorian’s preferred destination remains Paris Saint-Germain, and his agents are pushing hard to make it happen.

It means City, Arsenal, Real Madrid and PSG are all willing to go to at least €100 million. The question is whether Diomande’s head can be turned.

What the numbers say

Diomande scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 33 league appearances during his debut Bundesliga campaign. That made him the fourth-youngest player ever to reach double figures in a single season in Germany. Born in November 2006, he made his senior Ivory Coast debut in October 2025 and went on to represent his country at the World Cup in North America.

Liverpool tried to get there first. They submitted a €100 million offer during the tournament. Leipzig knocked it back outright.

City’s interest is real

The Blues have not been put off. Director of football Hugo Viana identified a winger of Diomande’s profile as a priority earlier this summer, and the club are ready to pay what it takes. Whether that means entering a straight bidding war with PSG, Real Madrid and Arsenal is another matter.

BILD speculates that Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi may have held informal talks in New York during the World Cup final. Nothing concrete, but enough to suggest the Parisians have a head start. Diomande’s representatives at Roc Nation are pushing PSG to accelerate negotiations.

City have already committed £116 million for Elliot Anderson this summer. Another nine-figure outlay would test even their resources — especially with the Rodri situation simmering in the background.

The chase is on. Whether it ends in Manchester remains to be seen.

City confirmed the extension on Tuesday, rewarding a defender who, since arriving from RC Lens in January 2025, has drawn comparisons to some of the finest centre-backs to have worn the shirt in recent memory. Khusanov became the first Uzbek to play in the Premier League and, across what proved to be a transitional season under Pep Guardiola, established himself as a key component of the backline.

Now comes the next step: convincing Enzo Maresca.

“I’m really happy to extend my stay at City. I have a new challenge now to impress Enzo Maresca and his staff and ensure I am in his team regularly. Thank you to the fans for all your support.”

Hugo Viana, the club's sporting director, said City have been encouraged by Khusanov's trajectory. His physical and technical abilities are top, he has all the assets needed to be a world-class centre-back, Viana said. At just 22, his best years are all in front of him.

The timing is deliberate. With Bernardo Silva and John Stones having left this summer, City are refreshing the spine. Khusanov joins Vitor Reis as young centre-backs committed to the Etihad project for the foreseeable future — a clear signal that the club sees its long-term defensive core in players who will grow into the role rather than inherit it ready-made.

Khusanov's Uzbekistan side exited the World Cup at the group stage, allowing him to return for pre-season earlier than some. He will get a chance to bed in under Maresca before the season starts on 23 August.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana report that Real Madrid are aiming to sign the Ballon d’Or winner this summer and are confident of doing so. No direct talks have taken place between the clubs yet, but Madrid’s intent is clear.

The player’s wish

Rodri has never hidden his desire to return to Spain one day. That much has been obvious since the World Cup concluded, and Real Madrid are determined to make it happen this window. City, for their part, remain hopeful he will see out the final year of his contract, but the midfielder’s stance is no secret.

Here lies the problem. Rodri is City’s most important player. A fully fit Rodri turns a very good side into an elite side. Selling him would leave a sizable void in midfield and in the leadership group. Typically, City do not keep players who wish to leave — Bernardo Silva is the notable exception.

A decision looms

If Real Madrid can satisfy City’s demands, the Blues have a choice to make. Let him go and rebuild, or hold firm and risk an unhappy player in the final year of his deal. The coming weeks will determine which path they take.

James Trafford is in discussions with Leeds United about including a release clause in his contract, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. The clause would be triggered by “specific clubs/circumstances” – a detail that opens the door to a possible third spell at Manchester City.

Reports suggest the goalkeeper could leave that door open to returning to the Etihad. Whether City would be one of those specific clubs remains unclear, but the conversation itself hints at a path back for a player who has already left the club twice.

Trafford's career keeps circling back to Manchester. The next move, if it comes, would be his third time around.

The Norwegian supporters became a fixture of the 2026 World Cup in North America, their travelling pack drawing social media attention for performing the row in Times Square, at a New York Mets baseball game and various other spots. Norway, for their part, made personal history by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.

Now the World Cup is over, but the row continues. Haaland, one of Donnarumma's Manchester City teammates, was invited to the wedding and has been filmed leading a group of guests through the routine. Several clips are doing the rounds on social media.

A week of off-field headlines

It has been a busy few days for the City striker beyond the dancefloor. Asked about a potential appearance in WWE, wrestler Cody Rhodes suggested a storyline in which the pair play cousins. Fans also praised Haaland after he greeted a stranger while on holiday in what was described as a ‘genuinely wonderful’ moment.

And the gym invitations keep coming. Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and actor Terry Crews have both extended workout offers to Haaland this week.