Enzo Maresca will take a strong City squad to Hong Kong and South Korea for the club’s pre-season tour. The Blues will travel with the bulk of their first-team options, despite several high-profile players being unavailable.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Lee, Josko Gvardiol, Rúben Dias, and January signing Antoine Semenyo are all expected to travel. That gives Maresca a solid defensive core to work with during the trip.

The absences haven’t been specified in full, but the squad list suggests Maresca is prioritising match sharpness for his key men. With the 2026-27 season approaching, every minute on the pitch matters.

The tour covers two Asian destinations. City will face local opposition before returning to England to finalise preparations.

Manchester City are weighing up a surprise move for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, with Real Madrid finally ready to test their resolve over Rodri. The Italian journalist Nicolo Schira has reported that Los Blancos are set to submit an opening offer in the region of €50-60m for the Spanish midfielder, who has reportedly turned down a contract extension at the Etihad because he wants to join the Bernabeu side. Personal terms are said to be already agreed on a deal running until 2030.

City have already moved decisively this summer. Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest in a big-money deal, and the club are hotly anticipating the arrival of Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, who carries an £85m price tag. But with Mateo Kovacic and Nico Gonzalez both available for sale, sources suggest there is still space in the squad for a player of Fernandez's calibre should the opportunity arise. A double swoop for Bouaddi and Fernandez could cost the Blues a combined £200m.

Fernandez's Chelsea future in doubt

Chelsea finished tenth in the Premier League last season, and while Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro have been made untouchable this summer, Fernandez's future remains unresolved. The Argentine has flirted with Real Madrid, and the Blues are only willing to let him go if a club matches or exceeds the £106.9m they paid Benfica for him in 2023. So far, only Marc Cucurella has left Stamford Bridge, joining Real Madrid for around €60m.

'Enzo Fernandez is one of the few who would get pass marks last year for Chelsea, there weren't many at all.'

Former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris weighed in on the situation, telling Boyle Sports that if a player doesn't want to be at the club, they should be allowed to leave — but not for cheap. 'Letting them go doesn't mean letting them go for cheap,' he said. 'The value might be there after the World Cup he had. It might be the best opportunity to try and claw back as much of the fee we shelled out as possible.'

Morris added that if Fernandez wants to stay, he's a proven performer, but if not, the quicker he leaves, the better. 'I am sure Xabi Alonso wouldn't mind having him in the squad if he wants to be there,' he said. 'But if he doesn't, the quicker he leaves, the better.'

City's interest adds another layer to a transfer window that already promises significant change. Enzo Maresca's side begin pre-season against Inter Milan on 1st August, and the Rodri situation will dominate the headlines until it is resolved one way or another.

Manchester City have won the race for Leicester City teenager Darren Motsi, beating Liverpool to his signature. The 16-year-old attacker turned down the Merseyside club despite their confidence that a deal was close, according to Attacking Football.

Motsi is a left-footed attacker who can play from the right wing or as a number 10. He featured regularly for Leicester's U21s while still 15 and became the youngest player ever to score in back-to-back Premier League 2 fixtures during the 2025-26 campaign. An England youth international with seven caps at U16 level, he was also selected for a tournament in Florida against the United States, Argentina and Mexico.

Academy rebuild

Motsi's arrival follows the signings of Jeremy Monga from Leicester and Mishel Nduka from Arsenal. Leicester's relegation from the top flight has contributed to an exodus of academy talent this summer, with the club having already lost Monga to City and Ben Nelson attracting interest from multiple Premier League clubs.

According to the report, City's development plan was the decisive factor rather than any financial advantage. The signing is framed as a direct replacement for David Eze, who has left the City Football Academy to join Manchester United. Karim Cassim has also completed a move to Manchester United from City this summer.

City appear to have planned around those departures, securing replacements of equal or greater standing from Leicester and Arsenal in the same window.

Different profile

Motsi offers a different profile to both Monga and Nduka. He is a wide attacker with a preference for operating on the right and cutting onto his stronger left foot, though he is capable of influencing games centrally as a ten when required.

His immediate environment will be shaped by a development pathway that has already produced the likes of Ryan McAidoo and Phil Foden, and that recently delivered an FA Youth Cup triumph over Manchester United at Wembley in May 2026. Floyd Samba scored the opening goal in that final.

Real Madrid are preparing their first official approach for Rodri, aiming to bring the midfielder back to La Liga. The 30-year-old has entered the final year of his Manchester City contract, giving the Spanish side an opening to negotiate below the usual market rate for a player of his calibre.

Rodri has turned down City's latest renewal proposal and is keen on the move. According to Nicolò Schira on X, Madrid are ready to submit an opening offer worth between €50 million and €60 million. The player has reportedly agreed in principle to a contract running until June 2030.

Valuation gap remains

No bid has officially been accepted, and the two clubs are still apart in their valuations. Managing Madrid reports that City value Rodri at roughly €80 million, while Madrid currently do not want to exceed €60 million. Florentino Pérez holds a key advantage, though, with Rodri's current deal due to expire in 2027.

Progress has been made on personal terms, but the decisive stage will be reaching a fee agreement with City. Schira also claims Rodri rejected City's offer to extend his stay because he wants to join Madrid.

The midfielder has reportedly agreed in principle to a contract running until June 2030.

Madrid's opening gambit falls well short of City's asking price. Whether the Blues budge remains the only question that matters.

Rodri has told the club directly that he wants to leave. The update was added to City's summer transfer tracker at [time] BST on 27th July 2026.

The tracker, which logs every deal and live move, now includes this development. It is a significant shift from the earlier entries this summer.

What this means for City's plans

Bernardo Silva and John Stones have already left the club this summer. Rodri's request adds another name to the outgoing list.

Enzo Maresca's squad is taking shape without some key figures from recent seasons. The first pre-season game is against Inter Milan on 1st August 2026, and the 2026-27 Premier League season starts on 23rd August.

City won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season but finished behind Arsenal in the league. Arsenal are the current Premier League champions. PSG hold the Champions League trophy.

The 115 charges against the club remain unresolved. No decision has been made.

John Stones has been out of contract for barely a month and Juventus are already making serious contacts to bring him to Turin. The 32-year-old left Manchester City in the summer after ten years at the club, during which he racked up 19 major trophies. He walked away as a free agent once his deal expired, a departure City had confirmed back in April.

According to Luca Bendoni of Sky Sports, the Italian side are actively exploring the conditions of a potential deal. They are not the only ones. Bendoni adds that Premier League clubs are also keen on the defender.

Juventus, however, are understood to be operating under significant financial constraints of their own this summer. That might make a free transfer especially appealing. Stones made 293 appearances for the Blues, winning six Premier League titles, one Champions League, three FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.

He was also selected for Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup this summer.

Whether a move to Serie A materialises remains to be seen. The Old Lady has work to do to make it happen.

Manchester City have made contact with Barcelona to test the waters over Marc Bernal, the 19-year-old midfielder who has emerged as one of European football's most coveted young players. The Blues have already checked whether the Catalan club could be persuaded to negotiate, though any deal is still considered very unlikely given the sheer scale of the protections around the player.

Bernal signed a contract until 2029 that carries a €500 million release clause — roughly £433 million. That figure alone tells you how Barcelona view him.

The teenager recovered from a serious knee injury last season to establish himself as an undisputed starter under Hansi Flick at Camp Nou. Pep Guardiola, who watched Bernal closely during his final campaign at the Etihad Stadium, is noted to be an admirer — even if Guardiola is no longer part of City's structure. The club's current manager, Enzo Maresca, has spoken publicly about the team still having a few things to do in the market.

City's director of football, Hugo Viana, is driving this one. The decision to sound out Barcelona reflects the seriousness of his ambition to continue strengthening the midfield, even after the £116 million arrival of Elliot Anderson. With Bernardo Silva already departed, Mateo Kovacic no longer in the plans, and Nico González also expected to leave, there is clearly space to fill.

Bernal himself has no desire to leave. He wants to stay at Barcelona, considers a new and improved deal the priority for this summer, and remains on one of the lower salaries in their squad. Barcelona had planned to address his wages in the summer, but City's interest may now force them to accelerate those discussions.

Bernal is one of three leading candidates City have identified for young midfielder positions. He sits alongside Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille and Aleksandar Pavlović of Bayern Munich as primary targets under assessment. Bouaddi, in particular, is the subject of advanced ongoing negotiations between Viana and Lille.

For now, the Bernal path is a long shot. But City have at least picked up the phone.

Rodri will undergo surgery on Monday morning at a clinic in Madrid, with the specific nature of the back issue and the expected recovery period not yet publicly confirmed by either the player or Manchester City. The procedure comes just days after the midfielder won the Golden Ball and led Spain to their second World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday's final in New Jersey.

No timetable for Rodri's recovery has yet been confirmed.

According to journalist @Rodra10_97 of ESPN, the surgery will take place on Monday morning at a clinic in Madrid. The Athletic's Sam Lee and Guillermo Rai subsequently confirmed the surgery, adding that no concrete return timetable would be established until the procedure had been completed and assessed by the medical staff involved.

The midfielder's contract situation at the Etihad Stadium is still unresolved. A cluster of elite clubs including Real Madrid, PSG and Barcelona are understood to have been circling in the background ahead of the window's final weeks.

A history of setbacks

This isn't Rodri's first major medical hurdle. An ACL rupture in September 2024 kept him sidelined for approximately 220 days — yet he still earned the Ballon d'Or later that year.

The £116 million arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest provides some mitigation. Though Anderson's profile is as a box-to-box midfielder rather than a defensive anchor.

City's 2026-27 season opens with the Community Shield against Arsenal in South Wales on August 16. The Premier League campaign begins at the Etihad Stadium against Bournemouth on August 23. The Manchester derby against Manchester United is on September 13. The visit to Anfield to face Liverpool is on October 10.

Whether Rodri features in any of those fixtures remains, for now, entirely unknown.

The Manchester City squad heads to Asia on Tuesday for a pre-season tour that will test Enzo Maresca's squad building ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. With several first-team stars resting after the 2026 World Cup, the trip offers a chance for younger players to make an impression. Three friendlies await — against Inter Milan, the K-League All-Stars and Atletico Madrid — and there is a specific gap to fill on the wing.

That vacancy could be seized by Divine Mukasa. The 19-year-old signed a contract extension until 2030 earlier this summer, having made six appearances for Pep Guardiola's side last season and spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Leicester City. He showed flashes of his talent in the Championship and spent considerable time training with the first team last term. Mukasa is a supremely gifted technical player, versatile enough to play as a number ten, on either wing or as a false nine.

Another option is Ryan McAidoo. He made his senior appearances for City last season, featuring twice in the FA Cup run and scoring his first goal for the club. McAidoo typically operates on the right wing, which is exactly the area that needs reinforcing.

Then there is Claudio Echeverri. He never got a chance at Bayer Leverkusen in the first half of last season, but was used as an impact substitute at Girona for the second half. The Argentine might view this tour as a reset.

City also added Jeremy Monga from Leicester City earlier in the window. The 17-year-old winger has already played first-team football and is an electric player who can play on either wing or behind a striker. He'll travel with something to prove.

Maresca will assess a host of young and fringe players during the tour. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders need to find the right balance. For the youngsters, the timing could hardly be better.

Manchester City entered this transfer window wanting another winger. Two months in, that item on the to-do list remains unchecked. No obvious first-choice target has emerged for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders, despite plenty of names being linked.

The situation is complicated by Savinho. City will not let him go to Tottenham unless they first bring a replacement through the door.

Three names, three different problems

So far this summer, Ibrahim Mbaye of PSG, Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and Chelsea's Pedro Neto have all been named as potential targets. Each comes with complications.

According to a report from journalist Romain Molina, relayed by Get Football Football News France, there are concerns around Mbaye. His inner circle believes he should have played more often for PSG and rates him as a better talent than Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé. But the same report says Mbaye had issues turning up to training on time and fluctuating weight problems, which saw him fall down the pecking order at the European Champions. PSG were also unhappy with leaks from his camp, believed to originate from the player's father.

Despite all that, City hold an interest in signing the PSG winger this summer.

Pedro Neto is another name on the list. Mark Brus reported via his exclusive Daily Briefing column that City have an interest in the Chelsea winger. The price tag is steep: Chelsea want €80 million to sell.

Iliman Ndiaye was on City's radar earlier in the window, according to Alan Nixon. But Fabrizio Romano reports that Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have begun talks to sign the Everton man. That could remove one option before City get serious.

None of these paths look straightforward right now. But with Savinho's future unresolved and the season opener against Inter Milan on 1st August approaching, something has to give.

Manchester City’s full Fantasy Premier League squad and their player prices have been released ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Blues face a new era at the Etihad Stadium under Enzo Maresca, the Italian preparing to take charge of his first season after succeeding Pep Guardiola, who won 20 trophies across 10 years at the club.

Maresca, following successful spells with the Elite Development Squad and as Guardiola’s assistant, will want to get the club off to the right start against Bournemouth in their Premier League opener on August 23.

Erling Haaland has become the highest-valued player in the game’s history with his price set at £15.5 million. That’s a hefty outlay for any FPL manager.

In Guardiola’s final season in charge of the eight-time champions, City beat Chelsea and Arsenal to win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup respectively, while missing out on a seventh Premier League title in nine seasons when the Gunners won for the first time in 22 years. Maresca won the UEFA Conference League with Chelsea before lifting the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

The full squad and prices

• Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli £4.5m, Gianluigi Donnarumma £5.5m, James Trafford £5.0m
• Defenders: Rayan Ait-Nouri £5.5m, Josko Gvardiol £5.5m, Abdukodir Khusanov £5.5m
• Midfielders: Antoine Semenyo £8.5m, Tijjani Reijnders £6.0m, Nico Gonzalez £5.5m, Mateo Kovacic £5.5m, Claudio Echeverri £5.0m, Kalvin Phillips £5.0m, Divine Mukasa £4.5m, Elliott Anderson £6.5m
• Forwards: Erling Haaland £15.5m

Plenty of value there if you fancy a punt on the new regime.

Nottingham Forest are having second thoughts about signing Rico Lewis from City this summer, despite the 21-year-old being on their radar since last year. The Blues are keen to cash in on the versatile defender, but doubts are now creeping in at the City Ground about whether he would improve their current squad.

Lewis dropped out of Pep Guardiola's starting XI plans last season, and Forest's recruitment team have been tracking him for a while. Encouraged by City's willingness to sell, they may yet make a formal move — but question marks over his ability and position could see them walk away.

Concerns about adaptability

Those doubts centre on how Lewis's talents would adapt to a different style of play. He is calm and assured in possession, reads the game well, but struggles out of possession and lacks the pace or physicality to impose himself.

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mick Brown questioned to Football Insider whether Lewis is the right fit for Oliver Glasner's system at Forest.

'Rico Lewis sums up what I've said for a long time about Man City's academy,' Brown told Football Insider. 'The players grow up and develop playing a certain way, it works through the academy ranks and into the first-team at Man City, where they stay in a certain style. But watch some of them when they move away from Man City, and they struggle to adapt to systems which are different to what they've learned.'

Brown added: 'I think Lewis will be one of those types of players, because he's good on the ball and in possession, but he's not dominant physically and doesn't have great pace. There's also a bit of uncertainty about his best position. Is he a right-back, a left-back, a central midfielder, does he play out wide? He can do all of that, but I'm not convinced they know where he's best, especially outside of Man City where he's not going to be allowed to do what he does there.'

'So for Nottingham Forest or any other club interested in signing him, I expect they will be having second thoughts, because it's not as simple as saying "he's a good player, let's sign him". Especially with Oliver Glasner coming in, they have to question where Lewis would fit into his system, because I wouldn't say he's particularly well-suited to it.'

Academy graduates struggle elsewhere

Forest's concerns are nothing new. They have seen similar issues first-hand with James McAtee, who has struggled to make his mark after leaving the Etihad for the City Ground. As Brown explained in March, City's academy players are all taught to play a certain way in possession, which works at City but often fails to translate when they move to a different system. Numerous players have struggled to adapt after leaving the Etihad.

Whether Lewis becomes the next case study, or proves the doubters wrong, remains to be seen. For now, Forest are hesitating.

Roberto De Zerbi has made Savinho a priority target at Tottenham. The Manchester City winger is the player the Spurs manager absolutely wants, according to Fabrizio Romano, with discussions still live between the two clubs.

City are not understood to be actively looking to offload the 22-year-old. That does not appear to have deterred Tottenham, who have reportedly lodged an offer worth around £60 million.

Savinho only arrived at the Etihad in July 2024, moving from fellow City Football Group side Troyes. He had just come off a standout loan at Girona, where he racked up nine goals and ten assists in 37 La Liga outings.

Under Pep Guardiola last season, the Brazilian made 48 appearances across all competitions, scoring three times and providing 13 assists. In October 2025 he signed a new deal running until June 2031.

The Blues have already spent heavily this summer — £116 million on Elliot Anderson. But Savinho remains under contract and City hold the cards. Romano confirms conversations are still ongoing.

Manchester City have been contacted again by Vinicius Junior’s representatives, with the Brazilian winger’s camp now suggesting a summer departure from Real Madrid is a realistic possibility. The Blues are among the Premier League sides that have received fresh soundings, according to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey.

City have reaffirmed their interest, as have Arsenal and Liverpool.

Contract stand-off drags on

The renewed contact comes after more than a year of stalled contract negotiations between Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid. No agreement has been reached, and the impasse has opened the door for potential suitors to make their move.

Whether City will push ahead with a formal bid remains unclear. But the door has been reopened.

“City have reaffirmed their interest alongside Arsenal and Liverpool,” Bailey said.

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.

An Honest Answer

We don't know. Not yet, anyway. The game has opened its doors, the player list is presumably live, but here at Not Really Here we don't have verified details on prices, positions, or availability. Recommending specific City assets without that information would be guesswork, and guesswork tends to end in tears by Gameweek 3.

What we do know: FPL is back. That is a fact. Millions are picking squads. Also a fact. Everything else — who's essential, who's a differential, who'll be this season's Haaland — remains unknown until we see the data.

The club has had a summer of change: Bernardo Silva and John Stones have left. The season hasn't started yet. Pre-season begins against Inter Milan on 1st August. The 2026/27 campaign proper kicks off on 23rd August. Plenty of time for friendlies, transfers, and the inevitable tinkering with your draft.

For now, the wisest move is to wait. Let the squad take shape. Let the prices drop. Then we'll tell you which City players to actually add to your team.

Manchester City are set to reject every approach Real Madrid make for Rodri this summer. The club's stance is absolute, and now we know a key reason why.

When Enzo Maresca negotiated his deal to succeed Pep Guardiola six months ago, he made one thing clear: Rodri stays. The Italian insisted on having the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner in his squad as a condition of taking the job, according to The Mirror.

That stipulation helps explain why chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and other City officials are holding firm against Real Madrid's interest. Florentino Perez is reportedly preparing an initial £80m offer, potentially rising to £100m. City, for now, are not remotely tempted.

Rodri entered the final year of his contract off the back of a stunning World Cup – he led Spain to the 2026 title and took the Golden Ball. Back in March, he addressed the speculation head-on.

“Joining Los Blancos is not a 'closed door' for him,” he said at the time. “I would like to return to the Spanish league in the future.”

Real Madrid have reportedly received Rodri's approval and are closing in on personal terms, while City continue to try to extend his stay. The situation is complicated by a back injury that now requires surgery with no confirmed return date.

That medical setback might temporarily stall Madrid's pursuit. But the longer-term risk remains: if Rodri runs down his contract, his wish to play in Spain again could see him leave on a free next summer.

For now, Maresca plans to build his team around the 30-year-old, believing he is crucial to integrating club record signing Elliot Anderson, who arrived for £116m. Director of football Hugo Viana and the manager have been building the squad with Rodri as a key piece, with the new campaign just weeks away.

After two injury-hit campaigns, Rodri's World Cup displays brought back hope that City's talisman is back to his best. Maresca's non-negotiable demand is about to face its first real test.

Elliot Anderson has spoken for the first time since becoming Manchester City's club record signing, and the 23-year-old has made one thing clear: he does not consider himself the finished article. That, frankly, is a thought to sit with for a moment. A £116 million midfielder who thinks his best football is still ahead of him is either terrifying for the rest of the league or a reminder that City's recruitment model has not changed just because Pep Guardiola has left the building.

The deal, completed earlier this month, brings Anderson in from Nottingham Forest off the back of an impressive individual World Cup campaign with England. Director of football Hugo Viana said on signing that the midfielder could develop into a complete player at the Etihad, and the player's own words suggest he shares that ambition.

'Now that I'm here, I'll keep pushing and try to take this club forward. I'm only 23, I've got plenty of time to get to my best. I definitely think I'm not there yet and there's more to come.'

Anderson arrives as Enzo Maresca's priority midfield target and, more specifically, as the replacement for Bernardo Silva, who departed for Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer. It is a significant pair of shoes to fill, but the England international's description of his own game suggests he understands what is required at this level.

'I like to be intense when I play and use lots of energy around the pitch and get the fans going. I'm over the moon. I can't wait to play for this club.'

Arsenal's Declan Rice, who shared a midfield with Anderson during the World Cup, described him as 'the engine room' — a label that fits neatly with how the player himself frames his contribution. 'I think I bring a bit of everything,' Anderson said. 'I bring quality, physicality, energy. I'd like to think I'd get them excited, get them off their feet and bring energy to the team.'

That energy, he says, extends to his relationship with the ball. 'I like to think I'll take the ball at any time. I love having the ball at my feet. I'll help the team out when we're in tough times.'

Anderson's move has happened quickly — from Newcastle to Nottingham Forest to City, via a regular England place — but he insists it was always the destination. 'They're winners, relentless, and that's the sort of team I want to be a part of — champions, people who win trophies. Over the last 10, 12 years, they've dominated, so that's why I wanted to join.'

City's first pre-season game against Inter Milan is on 1st August. Anderson, by his own admission, is not there yet. The journey, however, has begun.

Manchester City are preparing a €90 million bid for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with personal terms already agreed and a contract running until 2031 reportedly in place. The 18-year-old Morocco international has emerged as a priority target after an impressive season in Ligue 1 and a strong World Cup campaign, and Enzo Maresca is believed to see him as ready for the first team immediately — not another loan project.

The bid from City, first reported by Nicolò Schira, falls short of Lille's preferred valuation. That suggests negotiations still have some distance to run, with add-ons or an improved guaranteed fee likely required to get it over the line.

Hugo Viana's influence

The Guardian has reported that City are prepared to go as high as €100 million, with director of football Hugo Viana driving the pursuit. Viana is said to be impressed by Bouaddi's technical quality, his awareness on the ball and his physical readiness for English football — traits that explain why the plan is to integrate him directly into Maresca's squad rather than send him out on loan.

Bouaddi can receive under pressure, protect the defence and move possession forward without slowing the game down. That profile fits neatly into what City have lost with the departures of Bernardo Silva and John Stones this summer, though the club would argue Bouaddi offers something slightly different — younger legs, a different rhythm, a long-term solution rather than a short-term patch.

The reported fee, even at the upper end, is significant for an 18-year-old with one full senior season behind him. But the market for elite young midfielders is what it is, and City are moving early enough to avoid a bidding war later in the window.

Personal terms are reportedly in place, but an agreement with Lille has not yet been reached.

That line sums up where this stands: the easy part is done, the hard part starts now. Lille know what they have, and they will drive a hard bargain. City will need to decide how much they want this one.

The figure is a long way short of what the Blues would likely demand for a player who remains the reigning Ballon d'Or holder and World Cup Golden Ball winner. But with Rodri's contract at the Etihad entering its final year and no agreement yet reached despite months of talks, the situation is no longer straightforward.

Contract situation unresolved

City have been making lucrative offers to tie down the 30-year-old for some time. The club's hierarchy are well aware of his value — not just in monetary terms, but as the midfield anchor who has defined their most successful era. Yet a resolution over his long-term future has yet to materialise.

Rodri's desire to return to his homeland and his openness to a move to the Bernabeu are both becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss as background noise. Direct communication between the two clubs has already taken place earlier this summer, and a good working relationship is cited as a factor that could help facilitate discussions.

For director of football Hugo Viana, this represents one of the defining decisions of his tenure. Sell now and recoup a significant fee, or risk losing one of the world's best midfielders for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season.

For Enzo Maresca, the prospect of beginning his debut season without Rodri at the base of his midfield presents a considerable challenge. The Spaniard's ability to control tempo, dictate press triggers and manage games from deep is regarded as irreplaceable within the system the Italian intends to implement.

City's confidence in landing Ayyoub Bouaddi for £85m after a breakthrough in Lille negotiations suggests they are already planning for life beyond Rodri. Whether that plan is accelerated this summer or delayed by another year depends on whether Madrid's low-ball approach is met with anything other than a firm no.

Manchester City finally unveiled Elliot Anderson yesterday, and the new arrival did not waste time in naming the player who shaped his football education. Kevin De Bruyne, the man whose 422 appearances in blue established him as a genuine Premier League great, was the name on Anderson's lips.

The England international came through Newcastle's academy watching the Belgian from afar. He admitted as much in his first public comments as a City player.

“I think Kevin De Bruyne is someone who I’ve hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years. As I came up through the academy at Newcastle, I always wanted to play like him. I’ve watched him all the time and to be sat here in the same team he was doing it for is so special.”

There is something quietly fitting about that. De Bruyne arrived at City with his own point to prove, transformed himself into the division's defining midfielder, and now leaves behind a template that the next generation are already trying to follow.

Anderson is contracted until 2031. The club have clearly invested in his potential, and the early signs suggest he understands exactly what he is walking into. He joins the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders at a moment of transition — Bernardo Silva and John Stones both departed this summer — and there will be opportunities for a midfielder who has modelled his game on the best.

The real work starts now. But for a player who spent his formative years studying De Bruyne's every touch, the setting could hardly feel more natural.

Reis, in an interview with ESPN Brasil, described the experience as formative. He faced Vinícius Jr, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham across the season. “Facing great players like them requires maximum concentration,” he said. He appears to have handled it. By most accounts, he was one of Girona’s best performers in a campaign that finished with the club dropping into the Segunda División.

What he learned at City first time around

Before the loan, Reis spent six months around the City first team after arriving from Brazil. He spoke about the influence of Rúben Dias and Erling Haaland during that period. “City has a great squad and excellent players,” he said. “I learned a lot, especially from Rúben Dias, who encourages me a lot, and Haaland himself, who is one of the top strikers in world football.”

That education continued in Spain. Girona, under Michel, played a high defensive line. It suited Reis. The same system is central to Enzo Maresca’s approach at City.

The timing of his return is worth noting. City have not yet started their pre-season programme. The 2026-27 campaign begins on 23rd August. Reis has time to settle, time to show what he has absorbed.

He arrives back at a club that has seen John Stones and Bernardo Silva leave this summer. The pathway to first-team minutes is not as crowded as it might have been. That is no guarantee of anything, but it is not a bad position to be in.

Elliot Anderson was officially presented as a Manchester City player today, finally able to say what he has been waiting to say since the start of July: this is exactly where he wanted to be. The 23-year-old midfielder's move from Nottingham Forest was completed weeks ago, but his involvement at the World Cup with England pushed back the formalities.

Now he is here. And he sounds like a man who has got what he came for.

Speaking to the club's media channels, Anderson did not hide his enthusiasm. “I’m over the moon,” he said. “I can’t wait to play for this club. I’m really looking forward to it. I think they’re winners, they’re relentless, and that’s the sort of team I want to be a part of – champions and people who win trophies. Over the last 10, 12 years, they’ve dominated, so that’s why I wanted to join.”

That much is clear. The rise has been rapid.

From Forest to the elite in 12 months

Anderson's trajectory over the past year has been remarkable. At Forest he went from an exciting prospect to one of the Premier League's elite midfielders, and his performances for Thomas Tuchel's England side at the World Cup confirmed he belongs at the top level. He was a strong performer on the biggest stage, and City were watching.

“It’s happened quite quick,” Anderson admitted. “But I think I always believed that I could get to this point. This is where I want to be. Now that I’m here, I’ll keep pushing and try to take this club forward.”

He joins a side now managed by Enzo Maresca, and he has done his homework. Anderson said he had watched Maresca's Leicester and Chelsea teams, and spoke to former Chelsea players about him. The verdict was emphatic. “I’m really looking forward to that,” he said. “I’ve watched his teams over the past couple of years and spoke to a few of the lads from Chelsea and they all rate him very highly. So, I’m really looking forward to getting to work with him.”

Maresca will like what he has got. Anderson drives forward with the ball, passes accurately, dribbles powerfully, and works hard without it. His ability to win duels and recover possession should make him a natural fit in a midfield that has seen Bernardo Silva and John Stones depart this summer. There is space, and there is opportunity.

“Yeah, 100%. I like to be intense when I play and use lots of energy around the pitch and get the fans going,” Anderson said. “So, I think that’ll be good.”

It should be. City's first pre-season game is against Inter Milan on 1st August. The season starts on 23rd August. Anderson looks ready to go.

Manchester United are closing in on two of City's most promising academy midfielders, with David Eze and Karim Cassim both understood to be nearing moves to Old Trafford's youth setup. The double departure, if completed, would represent a significant blow to the City Football Academy's recruitment efforts this summer.

Eze, a 16-year-old widely regarded as one of the most exciting midfielders of his generation in English football, has captained the England Under-16 side and featured regularly at Under-17 level. Born in Dublin and raised in Manchester from the age of six, he also retains strong Irish connections and is understood to be open to representing the Republic of Ireland internationally.

According to a new report, the move was driven by Eze himself rather than any decision on City's part. The club had placed considerable value on his development. Arsenal had submitted a formal offer in an attempt to convince him to move to north London, but the teenager has chosen the short journey across Manchester instead.

Eze cannot officially sign his first professional contract until he turns 17 in March 2027, meaning United's agreement will initially be structured around a scholarship arrangement before professional terms can be formalised — a timeline that mirrors the deal City recently agreed with Mishel Nduka when signing the midfielder from Arsenal under comparable circumstances.

Cassim, also a 16-year-old midfielder, is at an advanced stage in his agreement to join United's academy system. United have also completed the signing of Tynan Thompson from Tottenham and Cristian Orozco from elsewhere as part of a broader academy recruitment drive.

The double departure arrives just days after City confirmed the £10 million signing of Jeremy Monga from Leicester, underlining the competitive intensity of the English academy recruitment market. City had beaten Arsenal to the signatures of both Mishel Nduka and Jeremy Monga within the space of a fortnight earlier this summer.

Director of football Hugo Viana has spoken at length about the importance of the academy pipeline to City's long-term model. The task of ensuring that the players who remain — including Ryan McAidoo, Xavier Parker and the Samba brothers — are sufficiently supported to resist similar approaches will be one of the more consequential challenges facing the City Football Academy in the months ahead.

Thursday's Manchester City news cycle has a familiar shape to it. There are six stories doing the rounds — and Rodri accounts for half of them. The other three, whatever they are, will have to wait.

The day opened with reports from Spain that Real Madrid's interest in the midfielder has cooled at boardroom level. Florentino Pérez, we are told, is unconvinced. Cadena Ser, usually reliable on these matters, suggests there is no realistic prospect of a transfer.

That is about as definitive as these things ever get in July.

"Florentino Pérez unconvinced" — Cadena Ser suggesting there's no realistic prospect of a transfer

Which leaves City in a position that, for once, does not involve watching one of their best players agitate for a move. Bernardo Silva and John Stones have already left this summer. The squad is thinner than it was in May. Losing Rodri on top of that would have felt less like a rebuild and more like an evacuation.

For now, that evacuation has been called off. Whether the other three stories offer anything as straightforward remains to be seen. But on a day when Rodri takes up half the headlines, that feels like a win.

Manchester City are among five clubs who have reportedly indicated a willingness to meet RB Leipzig’s €100m (£85m) valuation for teenage winger Yan Diomande. According to German tabloid Bild, the Blues have “signalled” their readiness to pay the fee, placing themselves in the running should Paris Saint-Germain fail to strike a deal with the Bundesliga side.

Diomande, described as “fearless” in some quarters, has attracted attention from across Europe. PSG are currently leading the chase, but Bild claim that City, along with three other unnamed clubs, are waiting in the wings if talks collapse.

The 18-year-old has been at Leipzig since 2024, developing a reputation for direct, aggressive running on the wing. Whether Enzo Maresca sees him as an immediate first-team option or a longer-term project remains unclear, but the price tag suggests the club are serious about landing a player with considerable upside.

City have already seen Bernardo Silva and John Stones depart this summer, leaving gaps in both experience and flexibility across the squad. Diomande would not fill those specific profiles, but the club’s interest points toward further investment in young, high-ceiling talent.

No formal bid has been made. For now, City are watching. If PSG cannot get a deal done, expect the Blues to move quickly.

John Stones left Manchester City this summer when his contract expired, ending a ten-year stay at the Etihad that brought six Premier League titles, the Champions League and a collection of domestic cups. He is now a free agent. And he has not been short of phone calls.

Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing the 32-year-old. Mikel Arteta worked with Stones during his time as Pep Guardiola's assistant, so the connection is there. The need at the Emirates has become more pressing since William Saliba suffered a back injury during France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain — an issue that has prompted Arsenal to assess the market for defensive cover ahead of their Premier League title defence.

But Arsenal are not alone.

Chelsea have also been cited as a potential destination. Xabi Alonso, now in charge at Stamford Bridge, is understood to have considered a move for the defender as the club continues its squad reshape under the new manager. Stones played a significant role in England's run to the World Cup semi-finals this summer, so his stock has not dipped despite entering the final phase of his career.

For a player currently without a club, the options are decent. Two managers who know exactly what he offers — Arteta from close quarters in Manchester, Alonso presumably from a distance — are weighing up whether to bring him in. The decision now rests with Stones.

Tottenham's pursuit of Savinho has hit a wall. Negotiations between the two clubs have stalled over a disagreement on the transfer fee, with Manchester City's £65 million valuation proving too rich for Spurs' blood. The Brazilian winger, now back at the City Football Academy for pre-season, finds himself in an unusual holding pattern — wanted by Spurs, valued highly by his current club, and not going anywhere fast.

It is a curious turn of events for a deal that had seemed so promising.

Earlier this summer, reports from Brazil painted an encouraging picture. Official contacts had been made between the clubs. Savinho's preference for north London was established. Personal terms were agreed ahead of a first formal offer. Everything pointed toward a transfer being completed. Then the fee discussion began, and the momentum evaporated.

Spurs remain interested. They continue to monitor Savinho's situation. But rather than push for a resolution, they are waiting to see whether the conditions become more favourable before making another approach. That patient stance reflects confidence in the player's willingness to move, but it also suggests Spurs will not be bullied into meeting City's asking price.

"The gap between the two clubs' assessments of the winger's value has proved difficult to bridge even after weeks of dialogue."

The 22-year-old's return to the CFA on Monday alongside the rest of Enzo Maresca's available squad is a practical reminder that he remains a City player until any transfer is formally concluded. For a player who has shown a desire for regular football — and who endured a difficult 2025-26 season hampered by a pre-season injury and limited involvement under Pep Guardiola — this standoff is far from ideal.

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Maresca's first test of squad management

Savinho's debut campaign at City was impressive: 10 goals and 14 assists in 48 appearances. His second season was harder. Now, with Bernardo Silva and John Stones having departed this summer, there is space in the squad — but also heightened competition. The pause in negotiations gives director of football Hugo Viana a degree of leverage he may not have expected to retain at this stage of the window. Savinho's presence in training at least ensures Maresca can assess the winger's place in his plans before any final decision is reached.

For the new manager, this requires careful handling. A player who agreed personal terms with another club is now preparing for the season under a new boss, his future unresolved. How Maresca manages both the individual situation and the broader squad dynamics around the winger position — which City are still looking to strengthen through other targets — will be an early test of his man-management.

The transfer window is far from closed. But for now, Savinho is a City player training for the 2026-27 campaign. Spurs are waiting. And the fee remains the obstacle that nobody has yet found a way around.

Manchester City have taken former Burnley goalkeeper Charlie Casper on trial, with the 21-year-old currently training with the club as a free agent. The son of ex-Manchester United defender Chris Casper left Turf Moor last month upon the expiry of his contract, and has since been attracting interest from a number of clubs.

Barnsley have also had him in on trial this summer. But the chance to come to City, sources say, was too good to pass up.

Casper was fast-tracked into the Burnley first team as a teenager by Vincent Kompany during his time as Clarets boss. The City legend rated him highly, which may explain why the Blues have decided to take a look.

First-team football has been hard to come by for the goalkeeper, whose spell in League Two with Grimsby at the start of last season saw him make just three appearances.

After moving to Alfreton in the National League North, he made 15 appearances, kept one clean sheet and conceded 24 goals. He could not prevent his side from being relegated.

Despite a thin senior record, City are prepared to take a chance on him. It is not the only piece of business involving young players at the Etihad this summer. The club have opened contract talks with 17-year-old forward Teddie Lamb, who finished last season as the Under-18s' top scorer with 25 goals. The move is designed to deter interest from rival clubs.

Two very different levels of experience, but both players are being looked at with the future in mind.

The agents of Rodri have held a secret meeting with Real Madrid this week, according to journalist Patrick Berger. The meeting took place on Tuesday afternoon at a restaurant in Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, and signals that the Spanish giants are serious about prising the midfielder away from Manchester City this summer.

Berger reports that Madrid's board have now decided to make Rodri one of their top targets and are prepared to offer a contract until 2030. There is a complication, however: club president Florentino Perez is believed to be against the idea, though his own officials are pushing regardless.

Rodri himself is said to be keen on a move back to Spain.

The 30-year-old is fresh from captaining Spain to World Cup glory in North America this summer, claiming the Player of the Tournament after a 1-0 win over Argentina in the final in New York. He came into that tournament with lingering doubts over his fitness after a stop-start campaign with City last season, continuing to build strength after an ACL injury in 2024.

No direct talks have yet taken place between Madrid and City. That will come as some comfort to Blues supporters, though the lack of formal contact between clubs is standard practice at this stage.

City have already moved to cover

City have already moved to cover themselves in case of Rodri's departure. The club secured Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a £116 million agreement earlier this window.

There is also strong interest in Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old Morocco international midfielder. Lille are demanding an eye-watering €100 million for the teenager, and City would likely want to bring him to the Etihad this season — though there are claims a loan back to the French club could be part of any deal.

Bryan King, who spent years identifying talent for Villa, told Football Insider that City will be the favourites to get a deal over the line for the 18-year-old, whose agent is the influential Jorge Mendes.

Mbaye scored three goals and provided two assists for PSG last season, making 10 league starts and 24 appearances in total. He initially broke into the first team during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring his first Ligue 1 goal in March last year. The Senegal international also featured at the World Cup, finding the net against France in the group stage.

His contract at the Parc des Princes runs until 2028, but he is reportedly pushing for an exit this summer. Interest has stepped up following Morgan Rogers' £117m move to Chelsea, a fee that has reshuffled the market for young attacking talent.

Mendes factor

Jorge Mendes represents Mbaye, and the super-agent's relationship with City is well established. Villa, by contrast, do not currently have a single Mendes client on their books, though they will hope to change that with Mbaye.

When a player of Mendes wants to move, he tends to know which clubs can get it done. City, so far, have been quieter on the Mbaye front — but if King's reading is correct, they are waiting to strike.

For now, the Blues hold the stronger hand. Whether they choose to play it before the 23rd August season start remains to be seen.