The French youth international has attracted interest from City's recruitment team, who have been active in the French youth system in recent months. Chabot would follow academy recruits Mahamadou Sangare, Hermann Malonga and Mathys Detourbet in swapping France for Manchester.

According to reports from Le Parisien, Chabot has turned down a new deal at Angers in an attempt to force a move to the Premier League side. Discussions are said to be progressing, though no official agreement has been reached yet.

Background

The teenage goalkeeper featured in last year's FIFA U17 World Cup and has played above his age group, turning out for Angers at U19 level and in reserve matches. He is expected to continue his development in City's academy system if the move goes through.

City are in the midst of a busy window. Elliot Anderson is poised to join the club for a British record fee after the World Cup, while the club continue to pursue Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the French side setting a price for a permanent deal.

Talks between Manchester City and Tottenham over Savinho remain active, though a deal is far from done. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that discussions are “ongoing club to club,” with Spurs pushing for a £65m move for the Brazilian winger.

But City have yet to give the green light. Romano explained that the club are not rushing into a decision, suggesting there is more to this than simple haggling over a fee.

For now, the situation remains unresolved. The two sides are talking, but City appear in no hurry to finalise anything.

Manchester City have made tangible progress in their pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the French club now understood to have set an £84 million asking price for an immediate transfer.

The 18-year-old Morocco international has been a target across several weeks of sustained negotiation, and a meeting between City CEO Ferran Soriano and Lille president Olivier Létang at the end of June confirmed the seriousness of the club's intent.

According to Ben Jacobs, that meeting has produced genuine traction in talks that had previously been stuck between Lille's desire to keep Bouaddi for another season and City's determination to sign him this summer.

The structure question

The shape of any deal has always been the central issue. City's preferred approach is to sign Bouaddi now but allow him to remain in French football for further development. That loan-back structure would reduce the headline fee, with Lille increasingly open to the idea as a mechanism for getting a deal done.

Alternatively, a pre-agreement structure — effectively a deal agreed now but not activated until a future date — would give City the security of knowing their target is contractually committed while allowing Lille to retain his services beyond this window.

Jacobs reports that talks have been ongoing since last month and have been sustained across several weeks, reflecting the complexity of an arrangement with multiple potential structures and a selling club not entirely convinced they want to sell at all.

Why Bouaddi?

Director of football Hugo Viana and manager Enzo Maresca have consistently identified central midfield reinforcement as a priority beyond the £116 million arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. Bouaddi's profile as a technically accomplished, progressive midfielder is viewed internally as a complementary long-term addition to the squad being assembled at the Etihad.

The loan-back dimension remains the most likely pathway to a deal, with the fee reduction attached to that structure providing a financial incentive for City to formalise what has long been their preferred approach.

What happens now

Lille's willingness to attach a fee reduction to a loan-back or pre-agreement structure is a significant concession from a club that had held firm on their valuation throughout the negotiation. The end-of-June meeting with Soriano appears to have shifted the dynamic in a way that subsequent weeks of talks have built upon.

The confirmation of progress moves this story beyond the exploratory phase and into territory where an agreement feels genuinely possible within the remaining weeks of the summer window. For Viana and Maresca, the priority now is converting that progress into a concluded agreement before external competition from Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid — both previously linked with Bouaddi — re-enters the picture.

Whether Bouaddi ultimately arrives under a loan-back structure, a pre-agreement or an outright immediate deal is secondary to the central question of whether a conclusion can be reached at all. But Jacobs's update confirms that City are now closer to answering that question than at any point in a pursuit several months in the making.

Spain booked their place in Sunday's final with a 2-0 win over France in Dallas on July 14. It was a semi-final that saw two City players on opposite sides, with Rodri and Rayan Cherki both involved.

Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead from the penalty spot after 22 minutes, following a foul on Lamine Yamal by Lucas Digne. Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the 58th minute, finishing after Dani Olmo's pass.

Rodri played the full 90 minutes and was typically busy. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner had 82 touches, made six defensive contributions, won 4 of 4 aerial duels and completed 87% of his passes. Cherki came off the bench in the 72nd minute, replacing Michael Olise. He managed one key pass and completed both of his dribble attempts.

Argentina break English hearts in Atlanta

England's semi-final against Argentina followed a different script. A goalless first half gave way to drama, with the Three Lions taking the lead through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute, Morgan Rogers providing the assist.

Argentina hit back late. Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute from a Lionel Messi corner, and Lautaro Martinez headed the winner from another Messi cross deep into stoppage time.

City had three players involved for England. Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson both started and played the full match. Guehi registered 62 touches, five defensive contributions and completed 98% of his passes. Anderson, booked in the 37th minute, had 73 touches, eight defensive contributions, and won 4 of 4 aerial duels. Nico O'Reilly replaced Declan Rice in the 82nd minute, making two defensive contributions and winning his only aerial duel. James Trafford, City's academy graduate and England's third-choice keeper, was an unused substitute.

Third-place playoff and final details

France and England will meet in the third-place playoff at Miami Stadium on July 18. It will be the fourth World Cup meeting between the two nations. Their last encounter came in the 2022 quarter-final, a 2-1 win for France.

Rodri is City's sole representative in the final. He lines up against Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, aiming to add a World Cup winners' medal to his European Championship and Nations League triumphs with Spain.

The two sides have met 14 times previously, each winning six with two draws. Their last meeting was a friendly in March 2018, a 6-1 win for Spain. Their last competitive meeting was at the 1966 World Cup group stage, which Argentina won 2-1.

Tijjani Reijnders looks increasingly likely to stay at Manchester City this summer, with doubts surrounding Rodri's long-term future playing a significant part in the decision.

Sources have told Football Insider that the uncertainty around the Spanish midfielder's situation means the Dutch international is now expected to remain at the club, despite previous links to a move away.

Reijnders has been the subject of interest from Newcastle, Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray in recent months. But those suitors are expected to be left disappointed, with Enzo Maresca seemingly ready to keep the midfielder in his plans for the coming season.

Rodri now has less than a year remaining on his current contract, and Real Madrid have been credited with an interest. With Bernardo Silva already having departed at the end of his deal, City's midfield options are suddenly looking thinner than they were.

Contract until 2030

Speaking on Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, one source explained the thinking: "It doesn't surprise me that other clubs are looking at him. He's under a long-term contract at Manchester City until 2030, so I'd be surprised if City will be willing to let him leave, especially with Bernardo Silva leaving this summer and ongoing doubts about Rodri's future as well."

Reijnders registered 14 goal contributions in 50 appearances for City last term, though his game time did dwindle toward the end of the campaign.

Elsewhere, City are close to announcing a new contract for Phil Foden. The 26-year-old's future came under scrutiny last season after he failed to make an impact in several key games and missed out on England's World Cup squad. Sources have revealed an agreement in principle was reached months ago, and City are ready to go public with the extension once all formalities are completed.

Manchester City winger Savinho has taken to Instagram with a cryptic post that appears to signal his impending departure from the Etihad. The Brazilian shared a story on Thursday featuring a white suitcase in an empty gym, accompanied by a Portuguese caption that roughly translates as: "See you in a bit, I'm off to have some fun, I'll be back soon," along with a starry-eyed emoji.

It could simply be a message about holiday plans, but with City and Tottenham understood to be closing in on a £65 million deal for the 21-year-old, the timing raises eyebrows.

According to the Daily Mail, the sale to Spurs is nearing its conclusion, following interest that was widely reported during the January window but ultimately went nowhere.

Replacement lined up

Savinho's expected exit leaves a gap out wide, and City's recruitment team are already working on a replacement. The same report indicates the club are actively canvassing the market for wingers as the deal edges closer.

One name in the frame is Paris Saint-Germain's Ibrahim Mbaye, an 18-year-old winger who impressed for Senegal at the World Cup. The teenager is said to be ready to leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer, with Spurs also named among potential suitors regardless of whether they get the Savinho deal over the line.

Mbaye is now represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes, and City face competition from Aston Villa and RB Leipzig, who are all said to be monitoring the situation closely.

Beyond Mbaye, City have alternatives. The club previously made enquiries for Real Madrid's Rodrygo last year.

Regardless of who comes in, Savinho's time at the Etihad looks to be drawing to a close. He made 84 appearances and scored seven goals across two seasons for City.

Manchester City have completed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a club-record £116m deal.

The midfielder underwent his medical in Kansas during the club's pre-season tour of the United States.

The move represents a significant outlay as Enzo Maresca and director of football Hugo Viana continue to shape the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Anderson becomes City's first confirmed signing of the summer window, with the club's transfer business updated as deals progress.

The 18-year-old forward, son of former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey, has completed a permanent move to the Bundesliga club pending international clearance. The fee is understood to be £2.1 million initially, rising to £6.8 million with add-ons based on appearances and performance.

What makes this more than a routine academy departure is what City have built into the small print.

Three layers of protection

Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News reports that the deal contains sell-on rights, a buy-back clause and matching rights — all three in the same transaction. That combination is unusual for a player taking his first steps into senior football.

The sell-on gives City a percentage of any future fee Köln receive. The buy-back allows them to re-sign Heskey at a pre-agreed price. The matching rights let them equal any offer Köln accept from elsewhere.

Director of football Hugo Viana and his team have clearly decided that if Heskey develops as expected, they want options.

That Köln accepted such extensive terms suggests they rate the player highly enough to give City significant ongoing influence over his career.

City have used buy-back clauses in recent years as a safety net for young players they believe in but cannot yet offer first-team minutes. This feels like another example of that approach.

Whether Heskey establishes himself in Germany and triggers the full value of the deal remains to be seen, but the structure confirms City intend to remain part of his story.

For a player moving from academy football to one of Europe's most demanding leagues, this represents a considerable step up. City's football operations team appear confident he can handle it — and they have made sure they will be watching closely if he does.

Manchester City have reportedly made headway in their pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, one of the breakout stars of the recent World Cup.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Blues have “made progress” in negotiations for the 19-year-old Moroccan. Lille are holding out for €100m for an immediate transfer, though that figure could drop if a buyer agrees to send Bouaddi back on loan for the season.

Talks have been ongoing between the clubs since last month. Bouaddi is expected to hold discussions with Lille president Olivier Létang now the World Cup has concluded, with Létang reportedly keen to keep the youngster for another year.

Whether City would be open to a loan-back arrangement remains to be seen. There’s no pressing need for Bouaddi in Enzo Maresca’s current squad, but there’s also a strong case for getting him in now and starting his integration into English football.

“Manchester City have made progress in their pursuit of Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. Lille want €100m for an immediate transfer. Talks have been ongoing between clubs since last month. Package would drop if suitors agree to a loan-back or pre-agreement.”

With the World Cup entering its final week, deals of this nature tend to accelerate. Either way, Lille are sitting on a significant windfall given Bouaddi’s age, talent and growing reputation.

Enzo Maresca is prepared to give Tijjani Reijnders a chance to prove himself at Manchester City this summer, despite persistent speculation linking the midfielder with an exit.

Sources have told Football Insider that the new City manager wants to assess the 27-year-old during pre-season before making any final decisions on his future.

Reijnders arrived from AC Milan for £46million last summer but struggled to hold down a regular place in Pep Guardiola's starting eleven. He registered 14 goal contributions in 50 appearances across all competitions, though started only three of the club's final 12 games of the campaign.

That drop-off prompted rumours linking him with Galatasaray, Juventus and Milan. But according to the Transfer Insider podcast, those clubs may have to wait.

“Reijnders has got a big pre-season ahead of him as he tries to impress the new Man City manager,” the podcast noted. “He started really well last season, but then lost his place under Pep Guardiola. It's a clean slate for him and everybody at City under Maresca.”

The Dutch international turned out for the Netherlands at the World Cup recently and caught the eye, despite their round of 16 exit to Morocco.

Maresca faces the considerable task of succeeding Guardiola and is evaluating every senior player in his squad this summer. Reijnders will have the chance to earn a spot before any decision is made.

Jack Grealish, fresh from a loan spell at Everton, is also set to be assessed by Maresca this summer. The 30-year-old impressed at Goodison Park before a serious foot injury in January cut his season short. Everton remain keen on a permanent deal, but Maresca could yet keep him in his plans if pre-season goes well.

Ferran Soriano sat down with Lille president Olivier Létang at the end of June for direct talks over Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to new reports. The Manchester City CEO's involvement signals just how seriously the club are taking this one.

The meeting took place as the summer window entered a more active phase, with Soriano and other City representatives engaging directly with Létang over the 18-year-old midfielder's situation. Soriano's presence at the table is a clear indication that this pursuit has been fully sanctioned at the highest level of the club's executive hierarchy.

Bouaddi has been one of the most compelling young midfielders to emerge from French football in recent seasons. His performances for Lille and for Morocco at the World Cup have drawn attention from several of Europe's leading clubs throughout this window.

City's interest in the Morocco international has been well-established over multiple months of reporting. The club view him as a long-term investment in their midfield rather than an immediate first-team solution.

The core disagreement between the clubs centres on timing. Lille want Bouaddi to stay for at least one more season of development, while City are pushing to complete his signing this summer and structure his immediate future around a loan arrangement back to the French club. That position aligns with earlier reporting that City's preferred plan was to sign him now before loaning him back to Lille for the 2026-27 season.

Lille's asking price, previously reported by French sources at between £67 million and £84 million, remains a further factor. No agreement is in place yet despite the high-level meeting.

Director of football Hugo Viana has already committed significant resource to the midfield this summer through the Anderson deal, but the Bouaddi pursuit confirms that City's ambitions in that area extend beyond what has already been confirmed.

Whether the gap between Lille's preference for retention and City's desire to conclude a deal this summer can be bridged — and whether a loan-back structure ultimately provides the compromise both parties can agree on — is now the central question.

Manchester City are expected to sell Savinho to Tottenham for £65m, according to reports. The Daily Mail suggest Enzo Maresca’s side are already scouting replacements, with the Brazilian closing in on a move to north London.

The fee has prompted a strong reaction from supporters on X, with many praising Director of Football Hugo Viana for the deal. One fan described it as a “Viana masterclass again,” while another acknowledged the departure with mixed feelings: “Good fee but sad to see him go.”

If completed, the transfer would represent a significant outlay for Spurs and a tidy piece of business for City, who appear to have plans in motion to fill the gap.

AC Milan are keeping tabs on the Nicolò Zaniolo situation at Udinese, but they've also got Phil Foden on their radar, according to TuttoSport.

The Zaniolo affair rumbles on. Udinese thought they'd sorted things with a new contract, but the player wasn't happy with certain terms — the bonuses in particular. He's stayed away from pre-season training, submitting a medical certificate to explain his absence while the rest of the squad got back to work. The Friulani will try again to resolve it, but they might not wait much longer before deciding to move him on.

If that happens, Milan are ready to offer €15-20m for the 27-year-old. His agent, Claudio Vigorelli, was spotted at their headquarters recently. More Serie A clubs would likely join the chase if Zaniolo forces an exit. Udinese coach Ruben Amorim wants a left-footed attacker to give him more options.

Foden fits that description too. He could be available for €50-60m if Manchester City bring in some high-end attackers. The England international is coming off a so-so season — 10 goals and 7 assists in 50 appearances — but faded badly in the final months.

Milan are also trailing Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta for Konstantinos Karetsas and Kerim Alajbegovic respectively. Karetsas is only worth a punt for a small fee — his strong season looks like an outlier, and attitude and consistency problems could resurface if he's not handled carefully.

Foden is the ambitious target. Whether Milan actually move before sorting the Rafael Leao situation remains to be seen.