Manchester City have been linked to making a move for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, with new head coach Enzo Maresca considering a reunion at the Etihad Stadium this summer. The 26-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge from Wolverhampton in August 2024 on a seven-year contract for an overall reported fee of £54 million.

During Maresca's tenure at Chelsea, Neto became one of the regulars in Maresca's squad, establishing himself as first-choice right winger, making 77 appearances while registering 15 goals and 12 assists.

Chelsea will not allow Neto to leave for cheap, especially amid the skyrocketing valuations of other wingers in the ongoing transfer window, as per a recent report.

Market forces at play

A recent report by the Daily Mail has suggested that Chelsea are not surprised by the transfer interest in Neto and plan on evaluating the player in accordance with the asking prices set for other in-demand wingers this summer. Chelsea are monitoring the fees for the possible transfers of Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola and RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, who have each been valued at over £100 million by their respective clubs.

Chelsea recently announced the signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a British record fee of £117 million.

The report further stated that the London side believe the growing interest in Neto comes amid a lack of top wingers in the current market.

Standing firm

Chelsea are not actively looking to sell Neto. While the official valuation is yet to be known, Chelsea are expected to demand over £75 million to part ways with Neto.

Liverpool, along with clubs in Saudi Arabia, have also been credited with an interest in Neto ahead of the upcoming campaign. Following the departure of Mohamed Salah, Liverpool are on the lookout for wide attackers to further strengthen their squad under new manager Andoni Iraola.

Neto is likely to consider a reunion with Maresca at the Etihad Stadium over a move to Anfield.

World Cup break

The winger is currently not included in Chelsea's tour, which has started in Sydney, Australia, as he is on holiday after featuring at the 2026 World Cup for Portugal.

Enzo Maresca has named a 28-man squad for Manchester City's tour of Asia. The Blues will face Inter Milan, the K-League All-Stars and Atletico Madrid in three friendlies as they build towards the 2026-27 campaign.

The first match is against Inter Milan on Saturday. It gives Maresca a proper look at his group as he tries to embed his tactical ideas and philosophies before the season starts on 23rd August.

Who's in the squad

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marcus Bettinelli, Max Chabot and Jack Wint are the goalkeepers. The defence includes Rico Lewis, Matty Henderson-Hall, Max Alleyne, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Stephen Mfuni, Josko Gvardiol, Kaden Braithwaite and Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Midfielders travelling are Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Tijjani Reijnders, Xavier Parker, Floyd Samba, Jaden Heskey, Divine Mukasa, Ryan McAidoo, Claudio Echeverri and Phil Foden. Up front, Antoine Semenyo, Savinho, Mahamadou Sangare, Divin Mubama and Jeremy Monga make the cut.

World Cup absentees and injury issues

City confirmed that players who reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will not join the tour. Those who went out at the Round of 16 stage are due to link up with the squad in Asia, but they haven't travelled today.

Jack Grealish is missing as he works his way back to full fitness after injury. Kalvin Phillips also misses out. Alex James and Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News report that Phillips is close to finalising a loan move to Sheffield United of the Championship.

City have named the travelling party for their preseason tour of Asia. Jack Grealish is not included in the squad.

His omission has prompted fresh speculation about what lies ahead for the winger. No official reason has been given for his absence from the trip.

The squad will depart later this week.

Paris Saint-Germain have pulled out of the running for Rodri, according to reports in France. The UEFA Champions League holders had previously made contact with Manchester City to test the waters over a potential deal for the Spain international.

Le Parisien report that PSG are not expected to submit an offer during this transfer window. The club's management believe they already possess the best midfield in European football and have chosen to rely on the squad they have.

PSG retained the Champions League trophy last term. That success appears to have reinforced their conviction that no major midfield addition is needed.

Two remain

With PSG out of the picture, the chase for Rodri narrows to Barcelona and Real Madrid. Both Spanish giants have longstanding interest in the midfielder.

Real Madrid are reported to have already reached an agreement in principle with Rodri himself. Direct communication between City and Madrid took place earlier in the summer.

Barcelona's interest is genuine but operationally complex. Their ongoing financial situation makes a deal for a player of Rodri's calibre and contract demands a structurally challenging proposition.

Rodri is entering the final year of his Manchester City contract. That ticking clock ordinarily invites speculation, but City's position throughout has been to retain the player.

Enzo Maresca regards Rodri as central to the 2026-27 title challenge. The manager's first press conference on squad planning made no allowance for the midfielder's departure.

For now, PSG's retreat leaves two suitors — one with a reported agreement, the other with a mountain to climb financially.

Rodri has told Manchester City directly that he wants to join Real Madrid. Personal terms between the midfielder and the Spanish side are reportedly already agreed, leaving only a fee to be settled between the clubs.

The situation has been unchanged since Friday's escalation.

New contracts confirmed

City have confirmed new contracts for Phil Foden and Abdukodir Khusanov today. The deals offer some positive news as the club navigates a busy summer window.

Bernardo Silva and John Stones have already left the Etihad during this window.

That picture is unchanged since Friday's escalation.

Enzo Maresca has finally spoken publicly about Manchester City’s long-running 115-charge FFP case. The Italian faced the media for his first major press conference since replacing Pep Guardiola, and the subject was always going to come up.

He insisted the saga isn’t weighing on him as he begins life as City boss.

Maresca pointed out he was already at the club, suggesting the situation is nothing new to him. The Blues’ new manager has been inside the building throughout the process, so the noise from outside doesn’t seem to have landed on his desk.

It’s early days. The 2026-27 season hasn’t kicked off yet, and there’s still no decision on those charges. For now, Maresca appears content to let the legal side run its course while he focuses on the football.

Savinho has told Manchester City he wants to leave this summer. Fabrizio Romano's exclusive information reveals the 22-year-old Brazilian has made his desire to depart the club clear.

The forward wants more game time. He believes he needs to play regularly to develop his career, and that opportunity looks limited under Enzo Maresca at present.

Tottenham have held a long-standing interest. Roberto De Zerbi's side have had Savinho at the very top of their list for attacking reinforcements ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

No deal has been finalised yet. Despite expectations that a move to Spurs would develop quickly this window, nothing concrete has been agreed to date.

The matter now sits with transfer officials at the City Football Academy. They control what happens next.

Manchester City have confirmed that Rodri has undergone surgery after the 2026 World Cup in North America. The 30-year-old played nearly every minute as Spain lifted the trophy under Luis de la Fuente this summer, then needed medical treatment for a minor back complaint. The player is already recovering ahead of next season.

It has been a tough road since his ACL injury during the 2024-25 campaign. Rodri has rarely looked the same since. Pep Guardiola could only start him in 17 Premier League games last season, plus five in the Champions League.

Potential return date

Sources have told the Athletic that Rodri could be back by the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August, expecting him to rejoin his teammates a few days prior. It is unlikely he will be fit enough to start that match against Arsenal at Wembley. Still, any minutes at all will be a positive for Enzo Maresca's side.

Just 26 days remain until City's Premier League campaign kicks off against Bournemouth at the Etihad on Sunday, 23 August. Before that, the Blues face Inter Milan (set to be John Stones' new team), K-League All Stars and Atletico Madrid on pre-season tour, then return to England.

Supporters are hoping that Elliot Anderson can carry the load in midfield.

Future uncertain

There is a question mark hanging over Rodri's head when it comes to his future. Football Insider understands he has left the door open to a move away from the Etihad this summer, with Real Madrid certainly interested. Reports state the La Liga giants are working on the assumption that a deal will be reached over the coming weeks.

The Ballon d'Or winner has been a huge figure for City over the last few seasons. But he has entered the final 12 months of his contract, and there are no signs of an extension. Those at the Etihad Stadium are focused on getting him fit again first.]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:57:36 GMT Latest News https://not-really-here.co.uk/post/enzo-marescas-first-words-to-new-city-record-signing-elliot-anderson-revealed-5385 https://not-really-here.co.uk/post/enzo-marescas-first-words-to-new-city-record-signing-elliot-anderson-revealed-5385 Maresca’s message to Anderson

Enzo Maresca has delivered a clear message to Elliot Anderson after the midfielder became Manchester City’s most expensive signing. The 20-year-old joined from Nottingham Forest earlier this month for £116 million, briefly setting a new British transfer record. Maresca spoke to Anderson alongside his family and representatives.

“You have my number; anything, anything, you can ask,” the City manager told him.

Maresca then instructed Anderson to switch off before the season begins. “Now, enjoy your holiday, rest that is the most important thing. Then we start every three days, three days, three days. So enjoy this moment. See you soon!”

Pre-season in sight

City’s first pre-season friendly is against Inter Milan on 1st August. The 2026-27 Premier League campaign starts on 23rd August. Anderson will join a squad that won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season under Maresca.

Meanwhile, Josko Gvardiol has signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2031.

Josko Gvardiol has signed a new long-term contract with Manchester City, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2031. The 24-year-old joined the Blues from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 and has since developed into a key figure under former boss Pep Guardiola.

The timing of the renewal, announced ahead of Enzo Maresca's first season as manager, signals City's intent to build around their core defensive talent.

Gvardiol featured for Croatia at the FIFA World Cup in North America this summer, facing club teammates from Portugal's contingent in a Round of 16 fixture that captured the imagination of supporters on both sides.

Player and club speak

Speaking to official club media, Gvardiol said: "As soon as I knew City wanted to renew my contract, I felt straight away it was what I wanted."

He added: "The fans have been unbelievable from day one, the club provide absolutely everything for players. It's the best club in the world to be at."

Reflecting on his time in Manchester, the Croatian said: "I've felt so much love and respect during my three years here and don't take that for granted."

Looking ahead, he said: "The players we have are amazing. This is a world-class squad, young and full of potential. I truly believe we'll have a lot of success in the coming years."

Director of football Hugo Viana paid tribute to a player who has grown into one of the most complete defenders in the Premier League since his arrival from Germany.

"Josko is a player this Club really believes in. He's young, an outstanding professional and already one of the best defenders in the world."

Viana continued: "Manchester City are committed to keeping our best talent, which is why we're so happy this new contract has been agreed."

He described Gvardiol's attributes: "Josko epitomises what we want in defenders: can play multiple positions, quick, strong and when he attacks he does it superbly. He's exceptional."

Beyond technical ability, Viana noted: "But the way he conducts himself is also very impressive. This is a young man determined to be the best he can be — an approach totally aligned with our overall vision."

He concluded: "I want to congratulate Josko on this new deal and everyone at City is now focused on ensuring he maximises his potential."

Gvardiol's new contract follows similar long-term renewals for Phil Foden and Abdukodir Khusanov, with Manchester City making clear their commitment to securing the long-term futures of the players at the core of Maresca's plans for the new era at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City have confirmed that Rodri underwent successful minor back surgery this week. The club issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon detailing the procedure, which addressed discomfort the midfielder had been managing for some time. He will now begin a short period of rehabilitation.

Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery, the statement added, with further updates promised as his recovery progresses.

Contract situation unresolved

Rodri is entering the final 12 months of his existing City contract. A lucrative renewal offer remains on the table in the North-West of England, though there have been no indications that the World Cup winner is willing to sign it.

Enzo Maresca, speaking during his first press conference as City manager, addressed the speculation. First of all, we have to say that around big players there is always speculation, he said. I'm not worried about that, it's normal, also because they won the World Cup he is one of the best players.

I think every manager wants to have Rodri, because he's a top player.

Maresca added: But now, surgery on Monday, and then he needs holiday, he needs to rest, recovery, and then he will be back here with us.

Recovery timeline

Rodri featured throughout Spain's World Cup campaign, culminating in their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final. As a result, he will be granted the longest holiday period of any City player who competed at the tournament.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the back issue is only expected to keep him out for a few weeks, with a potential return in late August. The remaining World Cup stars are due back in the week leading up to the FA Community Shield match against Arsenal on Sunday 16 August.

James Trafford is heading to Elland Road. The 23-year-old goalkeeper is set to leave City for Leeds United in a deal worth £40m plus add-ons, which will be a club-record fee for the West Yorkshire side.

The move makes Trafford the most expensive British goalkeeper for a second time. Not bad for a lad who spent last season watching from the bench.

Frustrating return to the Etihad

Trafford rejoined City after a loan spell, but things didn't go to plan. The move comes after a frustrating season back at the Etihad, where game time was hard to come by behind a certain Brazilian number one.

Leeds get their man. City get the cash. Trafford gets a fresh start.

Mishel Nduka, a 16-year-old attacker, has become the latest young player to leave Arsenal’s academy for Manchester City. The move follows a familiar pattern: City beat the Gunners to Leicester City gem Jeremy Monga earlier this year, and now Nduka has done the same.

It is a curious trend given Arsenal’s recent success.

The North London club won the Premier League last season and reached the Champions League final. Their academy has produced talents such as Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman. Yet promising youngsters keep heading elsewhere.

Nduka’s deal is notable for its scale. According to the Daily Mail, the 16-year-old is already earning £20,000-a-week, totalling around £1million-a-year at the Etihad. That is serious money for a player who has not yet played senior football.

City’s recruitment of teenage talent shows no sign of slowing. Alongside Nduka and Monga, the Blues have also watched Kyran Thompson turn down a contract at Arsenal, instead joining Newcastle United. Thompson’s decision was another blow to Arsenal’s academy retention.

Monga, 17, broke out in the Championship last term and is seen as a significant prospect. Nduka’s arrival adds further depth to City’s youth ranks.

Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri left Arsenal for Marseille on loan. That departure, combined with the exits of Nduka and Thompson, suggests Arsenal’s academy pipeline is leaking talent despite the first team’s success.

For City, the message is clear: they are willing to pay top dollar for the best young players, even before they turn professional. Whether Nduka develops into a first-team regular remains to be seen, but the financial commitment is already substantial.

Manchester City have added Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye to their shortlist of attacking targets. The 18-year-old has become one of Europe's most discussed young forwards, and his performances for Senegal at the World Cup have only sharpened that interest.

Tottenham, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have all been linked. That sets up a genuine battle for his signature.

Mbaye is looking for a clearer path to regular first-team football. PSG must now decide whether to protect a major academy asset or sell while demand is high.

What the reports say

According to Foot Mercato, City have added Mbaye to their list of attacking options as uncertainty swirls around his future in Paris. The same report states that Tottenham and Aston Villa have tracked him for several weeks, while Dortmund and Leipzig are also monitoring developments.

Mbaye remains under contract with PSG, so the French champions are not under pressure to sell immediately. But his desire for more playing time has shifted the mood.

GOAL reports that PSG have placed a valuation of around €50 million on Mbaye after the winger expressed a wish to leave.

the teenager may feel a move would accelerate his development after making four appearances for Senegal at the World Cup.

City's interest adds another layer to a crowded race. Whether they push further depends on how PSG respond.

Manchester City have taken Charlie Casper on trial. The 21-year-old goalkeeper was a key figure for Vincent Kompany during his time at Burnley, and now gets a chance to impress at the Academy Stadium.

Kompany fast-tracked Casper into the Burnley first team when he was just 17. The teenager never played a senior game for the Clarets, but the former City captain clearly saw something special. That Burnley side romped to the EFL Championship title in 2023 with a record-breaking 101 points.

Casper has only three EFL appearances to his name, all for Grimsby Town. He has also had a loan spell at National League North side Alfreton Town. This summer he was on trial at Barnsley before City came calling.

Barnsley understand the appeal. The League One club accept that a trial at Manchester City is an opportunity Casper could not turn down. They are expected to monitor the situation closely.

City's coaches will now decide if Casper is good enough for the Under-21s. If they offer a permanent deal, he could join the City Football Academy setup or be sent out on loan. If not, Barnsley are ready to come back in with a proposal.

Casper is the son of former Manchester United defender Chris Casper. That fact will raise a few eyebrows among the blue half of Manchester, but football has a funny way of crossing old rivalries.

Goalkeeper shuffle continues

Gianluigi Donnarumma remains City's first-choice goalkeeper. James Trafford and Marcus Bettinelli are the current back-ups, though that is about to change. Leeds United have confirmed negotiations with City to sign Trafford for an initial £40 million, plus £5 million in add-ons and a sell-on clause.

If Trafford departs, Casper would face competition from Jack Wint, who has 38 appearances across the Under-18s, Under-21s and Youth League. New manager Enzo Maresca has arrived, and City have placed a growing emphasis on improving their academy sides in recent seasons.

The Blues are also set to permanently sell Joel Ndala to Belgian Pro League side Cercle Brugge. It is a summer of change at the Etihad Campus.

Whether Casper becomes part of that change remains to be seen. For now, he gets a trial at a club that knows a thing or two about producing goalkeepers.

Ndala, now 20, first joined City's academy in 2016, arriving from Port Vale when he was just 10 years old. During his time in the club's U18 setup, he registered 17 goals and eight assists across 41 appearances.

The step up to senior football proved harder. Loan spells at Jong PSV, Nottingham Forest, Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday all yielded limited impact. His most recent stint at Sheffield Wednesday ended prematurely after the club were relegated to League One. Ndala made only eight appearances for the Owls before dropping out of the side in April.

He is an England youth international, having represented his country at U16, U17, U18 and U20 level.

Cercle Brugge, who play their home games at the Jan Breydel Stadium, will be his next destination. Tavolieri's report adds that further details on the deal's structure are to follow, with the transfer not yet formally confirmed by either club.

Abdukodir Khusanov has committed his long-term future to the Blues. The centre-back has signed a new five-year contract, keeping him at the Etihad until the summer of 2031.

The 22-year-old joined from Lens in January 2025. City paid a reported £33.5m to bring him in. He became the first Uzbekistan international to play in the Premier League.

Khusanov has made 47 appearances across all competitions since arriving. His development has been rapid. That trajectory now has a formal reward.

John Stones has chosen his next club. The former Manchester City defender will join Inter Milan, the Italian Serie A champions, after leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of the 2025-26 season. The 32-year-old departs as a free agent on 1 July 2026.

The move was reported by Fabrizio Romano. An agreement is in place for a two-year deal running until June 2028 with no option for an additional 12 months. The salary is worth around €4 million net per season.

Stones joined City from Everton in August 2016 for an initial £47.5 million. He spent a decade at the club, making over 300 appearances across Barnsley, Everton and City. His trophy haul includes six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and three EFL Cups. His final season brought one last piece of silverware: an FA Cup winners medal.

Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid had each been linked with interest at various stages of the summer.

Stones leaves behind a squad being rebuilt under new manager Enzo Maresca and director of football Hugo Viana. Marc Guehi joined City earlier in 2026, and Vitor Reis returned from his loan spell at Girona.

Manchester City have identified Marc Bernal as a potential long-term successor to Rodri, according to sources familiar with the agents industry. The 19-year-old Barcelona midfielder is being monitored by the Blues as they plan for life beyond their Spanish linchpin.

City are not alone in their interest. Chelsea and Arsenal are also following Bernal, which underlines how highly the teenager is rated across English football.

Any deal, however, looks exceptionally difficult.

Barcelona's strong position

Barcelona have protected Bernal with a contract that runs until 2029 and includes a €500 million release clause. The Catalan club have no intention of selling, and the player himself appears settled.

Bernal has received assurances that he features in Hansi Flick’s plans for the coming season. He showed no interest in leaving Camp Nou when Manchester United recently attempted to include him in discussions over Marcus Rashford’s future. Barcelona immediately rejected that approach.

The message from Spain is clear: Bernal is not for sale at any reasonable price. City may need to look elsewhere — or wait.

James Trafford is on his way out of the Etihad Stadium for the second time. Leeds United have agreed a deal worth £40 million plus bonuses for the England international, one year on from City triggering the buy-back clause in his Burnley contract.

The 23-year-old joined City for £27 million last summer but never dislodged Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was Pep Guardiola's undisputed number one. With Enzo Maresca now in charge, the pathway to regular football looked no clearer, and Trafford pushed for a move. Elland Road won out over interest from Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Tottenham.

Leeds needed a goalkeeper badly. Karl Darlow left for Manchester United, Illan Meslier joined Arsenal. Trafford walks into that void.

The numbers

David Ornstein of The Athletic broke the story that the deal is being finalised. Mail Sport's Simon Jones adds that the £40 million includes £5 million in add-ons. City paid £27 million to bring Trafford back from Burnley 12 months ago, so the initial £40 million represents a modest but meaningful return on a short-term investment.

There's also a sell-on clause. City will take a percentage of any future profit if Leeds sell Trafford onward — a reflection of how highly the club still rate a player they consider one of the finest young goalkeepers in English football.

What next for City's goalkeeping department?

Director of football Hugo Viana has identified Donnarumma as the long-term number one and was open to selling Trafford. With the Italian firmly established, Marcus Bettinelli provides experienced cover. Oliver Whatmuff continues his development as the club's long-term domestic prospect after an extraordinary loan at Rochdale.

Whether Viana moves for another senior goalkeeper before the window closes, or trusts this group across four competitions, remains the outstanding question.

For Trafford, Leeds means first-team football at the highest level — a platform to remind England's management that the goalkeeper who featured at the World Cup in North America can still perform at the top of the domestic game.

Enzo Maresca wants Jack Grealish on the plane when Manchester City head to East Asia this week, though the final decision will be made late. The 30-year-old is still working his way back after foot surgery in January.

Grealish underwent an operation on a stress fracture in his left foot following an injury sustained during Everton's 1-0 win over Aston Villa. Before that setback, he had managed two goals and six assists in 20 Premier League appearances.

The problem ruled him out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the FIFA World Cup. He spent the rest of the 2025-26 campaign in rehabilitation.

Return to training

Grealish has now returned to grass training for the first time after a five-month layoff. But he is still not considered close to full fitness, five months on from the surgery.

Maresca has made clear he is keen for Grealish to join the squad's pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Seoul. City are scheduled to face Inter Milan, a K-League All Stars XI and Atletico Madrid across a series of friendlies.

The decision on whether Grealish travels will be made late, given his current condition.

Phillips in better shape

Kalvin Phillips is in a different position. According to Sam Lee, Phillips is confirmed as included in the tour squad, returning from his own period of limited involvement at the club.

Phillips has returned to full fitness and is available to Maresca from the earliest stages of pre-season. He is participating in Maresca's opening pre-season programme alongside the players already present at the City Football Academy.

One straightforward inclusion, one lingering question mark. Grealish has a year remaining on his contract.

Manchester City have made initial contact with Bournemouth over the future of their forward Eli Junior Kroupi. The 19-year-old has become one of Europe's most sought-after young talents since his move from Lorient, and the Blues have asked for information this month, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Kroupi's versatility is a key draw. He can play as a central striker, an attacking midfielder, or on the left wing. That flexibility could be useful for Enzo Maresca's squad as they prepare for the new season.

Bournemouth are likely to demand around £80 million for the teenager. With no release clause in his contract, which runs until 2030, they hold a strong negotiating position. The Cherries have already turned down advances for another forward, Antoine Semenyo, when City came calling in January.

New Bournemouth manager Marco Rose wants to keep Kroupi for at least the upcoming 2026/27 campaign. That makes any deal complicated this summer.

Any move for Eli Junior Kroupi looks unlikely to progress meaningfully before next January or summer at the earliest.

City may have to wait. For now, the Blues have done their groundwork — the rest depends on Bournemouth's resolve and the price tag.

Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea are set to become the largest contributors to a proposed £1.5billion funding package for the Football League, with a vote expected shortly. According to Sky News' Mark Kleinman, the new 'landmark' deal would see money handed over to lower-league clubs over the next decade.

The redistribution formula means the Premier League's biggest earners pay the most, rather than every club chipping in the same amount. That puts City, Arsenal and Chelsea at the top of the bill.

Where the money goes

Upwards of £150million is already distributed across the Championship, League One and League Two. The National League receives between £23m and £27m. This new deal would significantly increase those sums.

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett welcomed the news but offered a dose of reality.

I think it's important, but the reality is and has been that the majority of the money that the Premier League secures goes into the players' pockets.

Hackett pointed to existing Premier League investment through the Football Foundation, which has helped clubs install 3G pitches. Without that funding, he said, some clubs would struggle.

He also noted structural developments at clubs like Everton, who have a new stadium, and Manchester United, whose plans remain in the planning stage. No mention of City's own infrastructure projects, but the message is clear: money alone doesn't fix everything.

The vote looms. City's cheque book is out again — this time for the good of the game.

Galatasaray are keeping tabs on Tijjani Reijnders, with Manchester City open to letting the midfielder leave if they can land Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille this summer. That's according to Martin Blackburn of Sun Sport, who reports that City could sanction a departure provided director of football Hugo Viana completes a deal for the 18-year-old Lille talent.

Reijnders arrived from AC Milan in June 2025 for around £46 million. The 27-year-old had just been named Serie A's Best Midfielder for the 2024-25 campaign.

City's stance on Reijnders' potential exit is linked directly to the outcome of their pursuit of Bouaddi. The Moroccan teenager impressed for his country at the FIFA World Cup and for Lille in Ligue 1, marking him out as one of the most exciting teenage midfielders in European football.

Enzo Maresca's side have already seen Bernardo Silva and John Stones leave this summer. A move for Bouaddi would add young legs to a midfield that is being reshaped ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Pre-season begins against Inter Milan on 1st August. Whether Reijnders is part of that squad may depend on how quickly Viana can get a Bouaddi deal over the line.

City’s preparations for the new season continued over the weekend, with Enzo Maresca’s first squad decisions, transfer developments and key contract situations dominating the conversation around the Etihad. The Italian has been working behind the scenes to shape his group ahead of the flight to Asia.

Maresca is expected to take a strong Man City squad to Asia despite key absentees. That suggests he wants to use the tour to embed his ideas quickly, even if some familiar faces won’t be on the plane.

Rodri latest

No official update has been given on Rodri’s situation. But the midfielder’s presence or absence on the Asia tour will tell its own story. If he travels, it suggests a resolution is close. If he stays home, expect speculation to ramp up.

Rodri remains central to everything City do. His fitness and availability will be watched closely.

Major developments

Bernardo Silva and John Stones have already left this summer. The spine of last season’s double-winning side — FA Cup and Carabao Cup — has been weakened. Maresca now has to integrate new faces and adjust his system without two of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted performers.

Arsenal are Premier League champions. PSG hold the Champions League trophy. City won two domestic cups but ended the season with questions, not answers, around the 115 charges. No decision has been made on that front. The noise won’t go away.

Maresca needs to build momentum fast. Asia will be his first real test.

Josko Gvardiol has put pen to paper on a new contract at Manchester City that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2031. The deal represents a three-year extension on terms that were due to expire in 2028, and includes what has been described as a significant salary increase.

The Croatian was spotted with his agent Marjan Sisic ahead of their arrival in Manchester on Monday. Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reported the agreement, with a formal announcement expected soon.

Part of a wider reshuffle

Gvardiol's new deal follows Phil Foden's own four-year extension and Abdukodir Khusanov's contract running through to 2031. It arrives with Enzo Maresca beginning his tenure as head coach and Hugo Viana installed as director of football.

The timing is notable given that John Stones and Nathan Ake have both left the club this summer. Gvardiol, comfortable at left-back and centre-back, offers cover across the back line as Maresca shapes his squad ahead of the 23rd August league start.

City's first pre-season friendly is against Inter Milan on 1st August.

Reports suggest City could let Tijjani Reijnders leave this summer, but only if Ayyoub Bouaddi arrives at the Etihad first. The Dutch midfielder's future appears conditional on business coming the other way.

It is understood that the Blues are likely to sanction the departure of Reijnders should the move for Bouaddi be completed. That puts the ball firmly in City's court as they weigh up the French youngster.

No figures have been mentioned for either player in the reports. Bouaddi, 18, currently plays for Lille and has been tracked by several European clubs. Reijnders, 27, joined City from AC Milan last summer and made 32 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring four goals.

The 2026-27 campaign does not begin until 23rd August. City have a pre-season friendly against Inter Milan on 1st August to work through their options.

"If Bouaddi comes, Reijnders could be on his way," one source indicated.

Nothing is finalised yet. The club are assessing their midfield depth after the departures of Bernardo Silva and John Stones this summer. Enzo Maresca will want clarity before the season starts.

Real Madrid are increasingly optimistic about prising Rodri away from the Etihad this summer, with direct talks between the two clubs now stretching back several weeks. A key condition around a potential replacement is emerging as the main obstacle to any transfer.

Earlier in the summer, Madrid sources publicly insisted they had no intention of signing the Ballon d'Or holder. Those denials have since softened. The Spanish giants have now confirmed a deal for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande at a reported €135 million, yet midfield remains a priority.

According to ESPN journalists Rodra and Alex Kirkland, one Madrid source believes City would want to sign a replacement before letting Rodri leave. That need to find a like-for-like successor is complicating any potential sale.

PSG recently contacted City directly about Rodri's availability, while Barcelona have also stated their interest in the midfielder. The presence of multiple suitors is adding further complexity to an already layered situation.

For now, the Blues hold the cards — but Madrid's optimism is growing by the week.

Manchester City have joined the chase for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, according to reports. The Portuguese international is being monitored by Enzo Maresca’s side, alongside Liverpool and clubs in Saudi Arabia.

The Daily Mail states that City are among those weighing up a move for the 24-year-old. Neto only joined Chelsea last summer from Wolves, but his first season at Stamford Bridge was disrupted by injury.

Chelsea Open to Sale

It is believed that Chelsea are not against selling Neto. That could open the door for City to make an approach, though competition from Liverpool and Saudi sides may complicate matters.

Neto is a left-footed winger who can play on either flank. He has six caps for Portugal and scored three goals in 11 Premier League appearances for Chelsea last term.

Whether Maresca sees him as a direct replacement for someone who has left, or simply as extra depth, remains to be clarified. What is clear is that City are doing their homework.

Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to sell Ibrahim Mbaye before the new season, with the French champions demanding more than €50 million for the 18-year-old. The right winger has attracted enquiries from across the Premier League after a breakthrough campaign at the Parc des Princes.

Mbaye made 31 appearances in all competitions for PSG in the 2025-26 season, registering three goals and two assists. He also made headlines at the World Cup, becoming the youngest African goalscorer in the tournament's history after coming off the bench to score against France in the opening match.

The teenager is under contract at PSG until the summer of 2028. Earlier valuations had placed him at between €40 million and €50 million, so the current asking price represents a slight bump.

Interest from England and Germany

Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have all made enquiries about Mbaye's situation in recent weeks, alongside Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. No club has yet submitted a formal offer at the level PSG are demanding.

City's interest is not new. The club is understood to have given Mbaye a tour of their facilities back in January, though his entourage denied the visit took place at the time.

Mbaye is believed to be keen on a move that guarantees him regular minutes. His pathway to consistent starts at PSG is blocked by intense competition under manager Luis Enrique.

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.