Nico O'Reilly has become a first-team regular at Manchester City, winning the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award during his breakout campaign. He rose to prominence at left-back for both club and England at the 2026 World Cup. But that might not be where he stays.

Heading into a new era under Enzo Maresca, a positional shift could be on the cards.

Deep at Left-Back

O'Reilly is arguably City's first-choice left-back after Josko Gvardiol's serious injury last January, which kept him out for a large chunk of the season. Rayan Ait-Nouri also struggled to establish himself in his first season at the Etihad. Those factors, plus O'Reilly's irrepressible form, made him a mainstay under Pep Guardiola.

Now, City have three quality options at left-back for the 2026-27 campaign. If Gvardiol returns fit, he's another. And given how Maresca uses his full-backs, Ait-Nouri could play a more prominent role too.

Back to His Roots

That depth could free up O'Reilly to move into midfield — his natural position. He came through City's academy as an attacking midfielder and played alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva in the engine room last season when required. He is a midfielder by trade.

Physically, his strength and size could be hugely important as the Premier League evolves. Playing him in midfield is a bonafide option for Maresca to consider.

His late attacking runs from left-back remain a major weapon. But O'Reilly is destined to be a full-time midfielder. It could happen next season. City are blessed with the left-back options to facilitate this shift.

Manchester City have settled on a target to fill the number two goalkeeping slot. Argentinian veteran Geronimo Rulli is the preferred option to take over from James Trafford as the club's reserve shot-stopper.

Fabrizio Romano reports that City want Rulli to sit behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order. The Blues are acting to replace Trafford, who is Leeds United-bound.

The 34-year-old is keen on a move to the Etihad, according to the same information. His current club, Olympique Marseille, are aware of City's interest.

Negotiations would now appear to be the next step.

Manchester City are pushing to wrap up a deal for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with two separate reports suggesting talks have moved forward significantly. The 18-year-old Moroccan international has already agreed personal terms, and a contract until June 2031 is on the table if the switch goes through.

According to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between the clubs have accelerated this week. City are confident of completing the signing in the coming days. Sacha Tavolieri adds that the Blues have made substantial progress in their discussions with Lille.

There is still a gap in valuation. Lille want €100 million for their young star. City are hopeful of settling on a fee around €90 million plus add-ons.

Whether Bouaddi stays at the Etihad or goes straight back on loan to Lille depends on one thing: Rodri.

Rodri continues to be heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid. Romano reports that the plan for Bouaddi — joining Enzo Maresca’s squad this season or spending 2026-27 back at Lille — hinges on what happens with the Spanish midfielder and any other outgoings.

For now, Hugo Viana has made this his number one task. A deal at €90 million plus extras would be a statement of intent from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders, even before a ball is kicked in the new campaign.

Jack Grealish has fired back at reports suggesting he was omitted from Manchester City's pre-season tour squad, making it clear he is still recovering from a foot injury. The winger, who returned to the Blues at the end of June after a season-long loan at Everton, took to social media to address the rumours directly.

In response to an ESPN UK Instagram post, Grealish wrote: 'Just to let you know, I'm still recovering from an injury so I'm not training yet. Haven't been ''left out.''

Grealish's final appearance for Everton came against Aston Villa on 18 January, before a serious foot injury ended his campaign prematurely. He remained at Goodison Park during rehabilitation and has now made a full recovery, setting him up for assessment by new City boss Enzo Maresca.

The 29-year-old registered two goals and six assists in 20 league games for the Toffees during the first half of last season. Everton manager David Moyes said in May: 'Obviously we like Jack a lot – but we've not got an answer yet. We've looked after Jack since his injury and his injury is coming on. Normally a player would go back to their parent club and be looked after from there, but we'll continue doing our best for Jack.'

City inserted a £50million option-to-buy clause in Grealish's loan deal, but Everton decided against triggering it as they are only willing to pay a hugely reduced fee. Despite that, Grealish is believed to be prioritising a return to Merseyside. Sources have told Football Insider that Everton will accelerate a move for him if Iliman Ndiaye leaves for Al Hilal soon.

For now, Grealish remains a City player, recovering and waiting for his chance to impress Maresca.

Manchester City's senior first-team squad are filtering back to club duty after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Almost every player on the Blues' books featured in June and July. Fortunately, they are all returning healthy — except for Rodri, who had minor back surgery this summer.

Enzo Maresca, City's new manager, will be working with a squad that includes both seasoned pros and academy talents.

28 Players Head to Asia

Twenty-eight members of the senior squad and academy system have travelled to Asia for the 2026 summer pre-season tour. The itinerary includes one match in Hong Kong and two in Seoul, South Korea. This is City's first time playing in Hong Kong since 2019; they last played in Seoul in 2023, fresh off their historic Treble-winning season.

The tour kicks off on Saturday, 1 August, against Inter Milan at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. That match will be the fifth encounter between the two clubs in friendlies and competitive fixtures. Their first two meetings were pre-season friendlies in 2010 and 2011. Their first competitive clash came in June 2023 — the unforgettable UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul, where City became European champions for the first time. The only other meeting since was a 0-0 draw in September 2024 in the Champions League league phase.

After Inter, City head to Seoul for a match against K League All-Stars on Wednesday, 5 August, at Seoul World Cup Stadium. They conclude the tour against Atlético Madrid on Sunday, 9 August, at the same venue. That will be the fourth meeting between the clubs. The first two were in the 2021/2022 Champions League quarter-finals — City won 1-0 in the first leg, then drew 0-0 in Madrid. Their most recent encounter was a friendly in July 2023, which Atlético won.

All three friendlies will be available to watch on ManCity.com and the official app for CITY+ subscribers.

Fan Events with PUMA

City have coordinated events with PUMA in Hong Kong and Seoul. Fans can interact with special guests, view the FA Cup and Carabao Cup trophies, attend open training sessions, and visit pop-up stores selling official merchandise.

Travelling Squad

City are travelling with a relatively senior squad. The goalkeepers are Marcus Bettinelli, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Max Chabot, and Jack Wint. Defenders include Rayan Aït-Nouri, Max Alleyne, Kaden Braithwaite, Joško Gvardiol, Matty Henderson-Hall, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rico Lewis, Stephen Mfuni, and Victor Reis.

Midfielders are Claudio Echeverri, Phil Foden, Jaden Heskey, Mateo Kovačić, Jeremy Monga, Divine Mukasa, Nico Gonzalez, Xavier Parker, Tijjani Reijnders, Floyd Samba, Antoine Semenyo, and Savinho. Forwards are Ryan McAidoo, Divin Mubamba, and Mahamadou Sangare.

Several first-team players who reached the World Cup quarter-finals or beyond will not travel, due to required rest time before the new Premier League season. A small number of players who reached the Round of 16 will join part of the tour but were not with the squad departing Manchester on Tuesday evening.

Wednesday 29th July was one of the busiest days of the summer so far for Manchester City news. The touring party arrived in Asia just as the transfer market shifted into gear back home. It meant a steady flow of developments across two continents.

There was an exit request. A familiar suitor for Rodri emerged. And City is closing in on one of their most important signings.

The combination of travel and transfer activity made for a packed news cycle. The squad is now in Asia, while the club's recruitment team appears to have been working through the night in Manchester.

Rodri interest and exit request

A familiar suitor for Rodri has made themselves known. The identity of that club was not specified in the information available, but the interest is described as coming from a source City have dealt with before. No bid has been confirmed at this stage.

Meanwhile, an exit request has been lodged. The player involved was not named, but the request adds to the sense of movement around the squad as pre-season preparations continue abroad.

Key signing close

City is closing in on one of their most important signings. The deal is understood to be at an advanced stage, though the player's name and position were not disclosed. Given the description — "one of their most important signings" — it is likely a significant addition to the first-team squad.

The timing is notable. With the touring party already in Asia, completing a major piece of business before the season proper begins would give Enzo Maresca's side a settled squad for the weeks ahead.

It was one of the busiest days of the summer so far for Man City news.

Wednesday 29th July will be remembered as the day the transfer window properly came alive for City. Between the Asia arrival, the exit request, the Rodri interest and the imminent signing, there was barely a moment to catch breath.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all explored the possibility of signing the England international before he signed a new four-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, according to a new report. The 26-year-old had entered the final year of his previous deal, prompting a sustained period of external interest that saw some of the Premier League's most prominent clubs monitor whether the change in management at Manchester City could alter his long-term plans.

Enzo Maresca's arrival as manager proved decisive. Director of football Hugo Viana also played a central role in reassuring Foden of his importance to the club's next era. The attacker rebuffed every approach to commit to the only professional club he has ever represented.

Foden signed a new deal until 2030, with an option to extend by a further 12 months. Manchester City confirmed the contract last week after terms in principle were understood to have been agreed as far back as May.

Bayern Munich interest and World Cup disappointment

Bayern Munich were among the clubs monitoring Foden's situation most closely. City legend Vincent Kompany, now manager at the Allianz Arena, was particularly keen to reunite with the England international he worked alongside at the Etihad Stadium.

Foden's decision to stay was also shaped by a difficult personal summer. He was left out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the FIFA World Cup in North America. According to the report, he has used that disappointment as fuel heading into the new campaign, with Manchester City believing the forward is ready to become one of the leading figures of the Maresca era.

Maresca worked with Foden during the 2022-23 treble-winning campaign. At his first press conference, the manager said: "It is my duty to help Foden rediscover the form that made him Premier League Player of the Season two seasons ago." That level of personal investment from a manager will have resonated with the player as he weighed up his options.

Meanwhile, Manchester City left-back Christian McFarlane has joined Leicester City on a season-long loan.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester City are increasingly optimistic about securing Ayyoub Bouaddi. The transfer insider states negotiations are accelerating and the club are confident to get a deal done for the 18-year-old in the coming days.

Romano posted:

"Manchester City are confident to get deal done for Ayyoub Bouaddi in the next days."

He added:

"Negotiations are accelerating as reported on Monday and #MCFC increasingly optimistic."

Flexible timeline for arrival

The primary focus for City is wrapping up total agreement on terms with Lille. After that, the timing of Bouaddi's integration into the first team remains flexible. City are open to structuring the agreement so that he either completes a temporary stay or moves directly to the Etihad Stadium.

According to Romano, whether Bouaddi joins now or in 2027 could depend on exits, including the Rodri situation. Rodri is set to join Real Madrid.

Bouaddi announced himself on the global stage following a remarkable campaign with Lille and stellar international displays for Morocco. The 18-year-old midfielder has established himself as one of the most composed deep-lying playmakers in Europe, earning wide praise for his technical maturity, vision under pressure, and elite ball recovery.

Manchester City left-back Christian McFarlane has joined Leicester City on a season-long loan deal, pending EFL approval. The 19-year-old will spend the 2026-27 campaign with the Foxes in what represents his first extended taste of senior football in England.

McFarlane was among the players spotted in City's opening pre-season sessions at the City Football Academy earlier this month. He will now link up with Russell Martin's squad in time for Leicester's final pre-season fixture against Serie A side Genoa at King Power Stadium on 1 August.

A player forged in two countries

Born in England but raised in New York, McFarlane developed through New York City FC's academy — a City Football Group club — before making his senior professional debut in Major League Soccer in 2024. He subsequently completed a move to the Etihad Stadium in January 2025.

Now he is ready for the next step.

"I'm excited and feel ready for the challenge," McFarlane told Leicester's official media. "I'm ready to step into the men's game and to get started."

The defender sees the move as a chance to grow. "Being here is an opportunity for me to develop more as a player mentally and physically and to take my game to the next level."

What Leicester are getting

McFarlane offered a self-assessment that should raise eyebrows in the East Midlands. "As a player, I'm intense and aggressive at both ends — attacking and defending. I like to make runs in behind and can be a bit of a nuisance for the opposition."

He believes Martin's system fits his style. "The way the manager wants to play suits me perfectly, so I'm excited to get started."

City will monitor his progress closely. With Bernardo Silva and John Stones having departed this summer and the 2026-27 season yet to begin, Enzo Maresca's squad remains in flux. McFarlane's loan represents one less left-back option for now — but potentially a more polished one come next summer.

Real Madrid have made an approach for Rodri, with talks underway on a deal that could be worth over £42million. The 30-year-old has just one year remaining on his Manchester City contract, and further discussions are expected in the coming days.

Rodri won player of the tournament as Spain lifted the World Cup earlier this month. He is now due to undergo surgery on a back issue, with his return date not yet clear.

Former Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham scout Bryan King believes City would be making a serious error.

'Manchester City would be crazy to let Rodri leave the club to join Real Madrid this summer,' King told Football Insider.

King: 'A leader, a captain, a brilliant player'

King was unequivocal in his assessment of the midfielder. 'He's a good player. Why would you want to sell? He was voted the best player in the World Cup and showed what he was capable of,' he said. 'He was outstanding without any shadow of a doubt. And he showed his qualities against Argentina in the final.'

'I would want to keep him as long as I could, if I was Manchester City, because I think he's a brilliant player. You talk about a leader, he's a leader, he's a captain. And he's also a very, very good footballer.'

Rodri spent years in the Atletico Madrid academy before making 47 senior appearances. Speaking in March, he said he would one day 'like to come back' to Spain, adding: 'There have been many players who've gone down that path. Not immediately, but over time. For me, you can't turn down the best clubs in the world.'

That move may now be set to happen, with further talks to take place in the coming days.

Maresca faces early test as City consider next move

Rodri's exit would be a significant blow for new manager Enzo Maresca, who is set to take charge of his debut season. City have signed Elliot Anderson in a £116m record deal this summer, but would be expected to sign another midfielder to replace Rodri.

King, however, doubts a transfer will happen immediately. 'I can't see him [leaving] because the first thing he's got to have done, he's got to have this operation and he's got to get himself back and fit. If there was going to be any movement, it'll be in January or the end of the season.'

According to The Athletic's Sam Lee, conversations between the player and the club made clear that Gvardiol is considered one of the three most essential figures in Enzo Maresca's squad. The other two are Phil Foden, tied down until 2030, and Erling Haaland, whose deal stretches to 2034.

Why this matters now

The timing is deliberate. City have moved on from senior defensive figures like John Stones and Nathan Ake this summer. That leaves Gvardiol not merely as an option among several, but as a long-term foundation piece.

He had been strongly linked with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in recent weeks. The extension — and the status that came with it — appears to have settled that speculation.

Elsewhere on the contractual front, Rodri's situation remains unresolved. He has been offered a lucrative long-term deal beyond 2027, but Real Madrid continue to target a blockbuster summer move in excess of €50 million.

For now, though, the focus is on those already locked in. Gvardiol, Foden and Haaland form the spine Maresca will build around. The season starts on 23rd August. The first pre-season friendly is against Inter Milan on 1st August.

Manchester City appear to be edging closer to completing the signing of Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old has emerged as one of City's priority midfield targets this summer, with reports suggesting personal terms on a long-term contract have already been agreed.

Bouaddi has established himself in Lille's first team with impressive European displays, and the youngster further elevated his global reputation with standout performances for Morocco. Known for his tactical discipline, composure in possession, and elite vision, he fits the profile Enzo Maresca is looking for.

What Cherki says about Bouaddi

Rayan Cherki, who played alongside Bouaddi at Lyon's academy, has offered fascinating insight into the teenager's unique approach.

We used to call him 'Einstein' because he was different.

While the rest of us were focused on football, he was studying mathematics and then arriving at training as if nothing had happened.

The remarkable thing, Cherki said, was how Bouaddi could switch from academia to elite sport without missing a beat.

The amazing thing is that he could leave the classroom and then step onto the pitch to perform at the highest level in Champions League matches with the same calmness and confidence.

Cherki also highlighted Bouaddi's football intelligence.

He reads the game two or three steps ahead, stays composed under pressure, and always seems to make the right decision.

I truly believe he has everything needed to become one of the best midfielders in the world.

City have lost Bernardo Silva and John Stones this summer. Bouaddi could be the long-term answer in midfield. The Blues' first pre-season game is against Inter Milan on 1st August. Whether Bouaddi is part of that squad remains to be seen.

Ayyoub Bouaddi is back on City’s radar. Fabrizio Romano’s latest report confirms the Blues’ chase for the 18-year-old Lille midfielder is heating up once again. The Moroccan impressed during the early stages of the World Cup, sparking a flurry of transfer talk that has now resurfaced.

Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport, well connected in French football, has dropped an update on Twitter that makes a deal seem very possible. Manchester City have always felt like favourites in this race, and his report reinforces that sense.

Hawkins writes that City have “stepped up” their pursuit for the Moroccan midfield metronome. “Negotiations are particularly intense between the Citizens’ executives and those of LOSC to find common ground for the transfer of the Moroccan international,” he adds.

Personal terms and competition

City are already in discussions with the player and his entourage to sort personal terms. But the race isn’t over. Hawkins insists that “several top tier clubs remain on standby,” although he admits City are “the best positioned club.”

Romano reposted an old Tweet about the links to show he has received the same news about increased efforts to sign the 18-year-old.

For now, the Blues lead the queue. But the interested parties haven’t gone away.

Manchester City are still considering whether to make a move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to reports. The 25-year-old Argentine international has been the subject of speculation throughout the summer window, and it appears the club's interest has not yet cooled.

TEAMtalk claim that the 25-year-old 'could yet be targeted' after a move. The report does not specify which transfer or event this follows, leaving the timing of any potential approach unclear.

No bid has been lodged yet. Fernandez would represent a major investment. Chelsea are unlikely to sanction a cheap departure for a player they signed for a British record fee just over three years ago.

Whether City firm up their interest before the window closes remains to be seen. For now, the door is still open.

Personal terms have been struck. The remaining obstacle is the structure of the payment to Lille, with both sides confident that a resolution is close. Multiple sources now report that the deal is in its final stages.

The fee gap has narrowed to roughly €10 million in headline figures. Lille want €100 million. City are pushing for a fixed €90 million with bonuses on top. That difference — the final sticking point — is now the only thing separating the two clubs from an agreement.

CEO Ferran Soriano met Lille president Olivier Létang at the end of June, a direct intervention that signalled intent at the highest level. It mirrored the approach that landed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. The negotiations have become particularly intense since then.

Bouaddi, 18, broke through at Lille last season in Ligue 1. He then caught the eye at the FIFA World Cup in North America with Morocco. European football’s most coveted young midfielders rarely come cheap.

If the deal goes through, Bouaddi will be the second major midfield signing of the summer, following Anderson. Enzo Maresca identified the rebuild of central midfield as the most pressing priority of his first window in charge. He and the pre-season squad are already in Hong Kong for opening fixtures, with the Community Shield against Arsenal looming in mid-August.

Kalvin Phillips, meanwhile, edges closer to a third season-long loan away from the club.

Kalvin Phillips is on the verge of heading out on loan for a third consecutive season, with Sheffield United the likely destination. Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News reports that the 30-year-old is close to rejoining the Championship side for the upcoming campaign.

This follows Enzo Maresca's pre-season assessment of his squad, which apparently didn't include the midfielder in his long-term plans. Phillips joined City from Leeds United in 2022 for £45 million but has never established himself at the Etihad.

Since then, he's been shuffled out on loan to West Ham United and Ipswich Town before spending last season at Bramall Lane. That initial spell at Sheffield United was cut painfully short — just three appearances before another injury ended his campaign prematurely.

Despite that truncated stint, the Championship club have remained keen all summer. Phillips still has a contract at the Etihad running until 2028, so a permanent departure hasn't materialised.

Instead, it's another temporary fix for a player who cost a small fortune and has barely played for the Blues. Sheffield United get a midfielder they clearly rate. City get a wage off the books. Everyone moves on, at least for now.

Erling Haaland has done it again. The Manchester City striker is now officially the most expensive player in Fantasy Premier League history, priced at £15.5 million for the 2026-27 season. That beats his own previous record of £15 million from the 2024-25 campaign.

It also pushes Mohamed Salah's £14.5 million price from last term into third place all-time.

A familiar name near the top

Haaland has now appeared four times on FPL's list of nine most expensive players ever. He started both the 2023-24 and 2025-26 seasons at £14 million. The new price tag is a £1.5 million jump from last season's starting figure, which peaked at £15.1 million during the campaign.

You get what you pay for, though.

The Norwegian racked up 239 points last season — the highest in FPL. He scored 27 goals and added eight assists in 35 league appearances, earning his third Premier League Golden Boot. His first two came in 2022-23 (36 goals) and 2023-24 (27 goals).

He was the most-owned and most-captained player in any gameweek in the 2025-26 campaign.

Pick Haaland and you'll have £84.5 million left for the other 14 spots in your squad. That's tight, but he's been the top scorer after the first six gameweeks in all four of his City seasons, averaging nine goals in that stretch.

City's early fixtures help. They face Bournemouth at the Etihad on August 23, then take on newly-promoted Coventry City (Gameweek 3) and Ipswich Town (Gameweek 7). A home match against Sunderland in Gameweek 5 also carries a Fixture Difficulty Rating of just two.

Haaland also scored seven goals at the 2026 World Cup. Summer form tends to carry over.

Jack Grealish has returned to Manchester City for pre-season following a loan spell at Everton that ended a month early due to a broken foot. The 30-year-old winger scored two goals and provided six assists in 20 Premier League appearances for David Moyes' side before the injury cut his campaign short.

Everton had a £50 million option to buy Grealish, but that was not exercised after the injury. Now, with Grealish entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad, City officials would prefer a permanent sale rather than another loan.

According to a report from talkSPORT's Alex Crook, clubs within the Saudi Pro League have expressed transfer interest in Grealish. One option is said to be Al Hilal, who are actively looking for a new left winger. However, the England international's preference is likely to be to stay in the Premier League.

Everton would entertain another temporary move for Grealish, but their apparent appetite is only for another loan, not a permanent transfer. That does not automatically align with Manchester City's preference for a permanent sale.

Grealish is currently in Spain working at RCD Mallorca's training base to recover from a foot bone stress fracture that occurred towards the end of last season. New manager Enzo Maresca is known to hold long-standing respect for the player's ability, but Grealish's influence had waned significantly under Pep Guardiola in the years following the treble-winning 2022/23 campaign.

Grealish moved from Aston Villa to City in 2021 for a fee of £100 million, a British transfer record at the time. He played a central role in the club's historic treble-winning season. Now, with three years left on his contract at the time, it appears his time at the Etihad could be coming to an end.

Real Madrid have made their first move for Rodri. Fabrizio Romano reports that the Spanish giants have now approached Manchester City, with verbal discussions between the clubs underway. Florentino Pérez has given the green light after months of the door being closed.

Madrid indicate they are willing to spend over €50m.

Contract situation tightens

Rodri is under contract until June 2027. City still hope to secure a renewal but have yet to receive a positive response from the player, whose wish is to join Madrid. The Athletic's Mario Cortegana revealed on Tuesday that Madrid are actively working on the deal.

The 30-year-old midfielder has also been linked with PSG. Sources at the French club deny having approached City or the player's camp, adding that they are not in the market for anyone in that position.

City have not ruled out the possibility that, if no agreement is reached this summer, Rodri enters the final season of his contract without extending.

Savinho wants out

Alongside the Rodri uncertainty, another first-team player has told City he wants to leave. Romano revealed on his Instagram on Tuesday that the Brazil international has informed the club of his desire to move this summer, seeking more space to develop.

Tottenham have Savinho at the top of their shortlist. They have been interested in the winger since 2025.

Reliable journalist Ben Jacobs adds that Savinho has already indicated to City that he wants to join Spurs. He also wanted the move last summer. Talks have been ongoing between clubs since the early part of the summer, though Spurs have told City they do not want negotiations dragging into August and have set a clear deadline for the Premier League champions to make their decision.

Potential replacement incoming

If Savinho goes, City could look to add another attacker. Jacobs wrote on X that this is a possibility, dependent on the board changing their stance on the Brazilian's departure.

City have so far completed deals for Mathys Detourbet (£21.5m, Troyes), Elliot Anderson (£116m, Nottingham Forest), Pierce Charles (£3m, Sheffield Wednesday) and Jeremy Monga (£12.5m, Leicester), with more to come.

Bernardo Silva and Nathan Ake are the main departures from last season's first-team squad. City could now be set to lose another important player in Rodri — and a promising one in Savinho.

Manchester City will embark on their first season without Pep Guardiola as manager for over a decade, as incoming boss Enzo Maresca prepares to take on the role. The Italian head coach becomes just City's fourth manager in more than two decades following Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini, and Roberto Mancini, and embarking on his third stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Maresca and his squad are due to embark on a three-game pre-season tour of Asia this summer with matches in Hong Kong, China and Seoul, South Korea. The first of those contests will be a meeting against Italian champions Inter on Saturday 1 August at 12:30 BST at the Kai Tak Sports Park, before turning attentions over to events in Seoul.

South Korea will welcome two City matches against K-League All Stars on Wednesday 5 August at 12:00 BST, and a clash with Atletico Madrid on Sunday 9 August at 12:00 BST with both games taking place at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Competitive action begins in Cardiff

The first competitive match of Manchester City's 2026/27 season will see them face Mikel Arteta's Premier League champions Arsenal in the FA Community Shield on Sunday 16 August at 15:00 BST. With Wembley Stadium unavailable for this season's traditional curtain-raiser, Arsenal against Manchester City will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

For Manchester City, their 2026/27 Premier League season will begin with a home game at the Etihad Stadium against Bournemouth and their new manager Marco Rose. That opening game in the top-flight has been scheduled for Sunday 23 August with kick-off set for 14:00 BST and broadcast live on Sky Sports for those in the United Kingdom.

Manchester City's campaign will conclude away from home as they travel to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 30 May, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 BST.

Summer business and early hurdles

Among the early challenges is the summer transfer window and how best to tackle the exits of Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and possibly more including Rodri, as well as identifying the necessary stars to bolster his playing squad. After spells within the club's Academy system, before departing to take on a head coach role in Italian football and returning to become Guardiola's assistant in the 2022/23 season, Enzo Maresca has now been tasked with steering the club into a new era.

The Premier League's summer 2026 transfer window will formally close on Tuesday 1 September at 23:00 BST. The 2027 January transfer window will open on Friday January 1, 2027 and close on Monday February 1, 2027 at 11PM (UK).

The UEFA Champions League's league phase will be held on Thursday 27 August 2026 at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Tottenham have delivered an ultimatum to Manchester City over Savinho: give us a final answer before the weekend, or we're out. Spurs want the £60million deal wrapped up by August 1 — and they've told the Blues as much.

The north London club have been chasing the 22-year-old winger for the best part of a year. They agreed personal terms with the Brazilian back in January, when a move nearly happened but fell through. This summer, they always intended to return for him, and they did exactly that earlier this month. Significant progress was made on a deal worth around £60m, but then talks stalled.

City have been dragging their feet. They initially wanted to secure a replacement before letting Savinho go, and there have been internal debates over whether his price tag should be higher than what Spurs are offering. That delay has frustrated Tottenham, who have now made it clear to both City and Savinho's representatives: complete the transfer before August 1, or we move on.

The player himself wants out. A report on Tuesday claimed Savinho has informed City he wants the switch.

Spurs remain optimistic a deal can still be reached, but club sources insist the deadline is genuine — not a negotiating tactic. They've already lined up alternatives: Antonio Nusa, Cody Gakpo, Rafael Leao and Jadon Sancho have all been assessed by their transfer team.

Confidence still leans towards Savinho eventually becoming a Tottenham player. But the coming days are expected to prove decisive. Unless City provide clarity before the weekend, Spurs are prepared to end their pursuit and accelerate moves for other attacking options.

The clock is ticking.

The Brazilian winger has made his intentions clear behind the scenes at the Etihad. According to Fabrizio Romano, Savinho has communicated to Manchester City that he wishes to depart this summer. The 21-year-old is seeking regular first-team football to continue his development — a commodity that may be in short supply given the competition for places under Enzo Maresca.

Tottenham are the club pushing hardest. Romano reports they are desperate to land the winger.

Spurs set deadline

Graeme Bailey of TeamTalk adds that Tottenham have issued an ultimatum to City. They want a final answer by the weekend. If no response arrives, Spurs will move on to other targets.

Bailey reports that Tottenham were confident of securing Savinho for a total package worth up to £60 million. City, however, have held internal discussions about whether they can demand more. The Blues are under no financial pressure to sell, and Savinho remains under a long-term contract after signing an extension last season.

City do not want to weaken the squad without a replacement lined up. That has not happened yet, and Tottenham are believed to be frustrated by the stalling.

“Savinho has expressed to Manchester City that he wants to depart the club this summer in recent days.” — Graeme Bailey

For now, Savinho is on City’s pre-season tour of Asia with his teammates. He will not be allowed to leave unless it is on the club’s terms. Whether those terms align with Tottenham’s deadline remains the question.

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.