Wednesday's Manchester City news round-up landed with five items, two of which — the Ayyoub Bouaddi chase and Phil Foden's contractual situation — received proper follow-up treatment. The other three were, in the main, background noise. One of them, however, involved a player actually leaving the building.

Matty Warhurst completed a permanent move to Northampton Town for a modest £100,000, with a sell-on clause built into the deal. The 22-year-old forward had been on the periphery for some time, and the move represents a clean break rather than a loan. Northampton get a player who, at that fee, represents low risk with potential upside. City get a small fee and a stake in whatever comes next.

Bouaddi and Foden dominate the remaining attention

The Bouaddi story continues to develop, though the round-up offered little in the way of resolution. Likewise, the Foden situation received the kind of sustained coverage that suggests something may be brewing — or at least that the club are keen to clarify the narrative. Beyond those two, the remaining items filled space without shifting the needle.

Pre-season begins against Inter Milan on 1st August. The squad will want some of these loose ends tied up before then.

Arsenal did not go quietly. They tabled competitive scholarship terms to keep a player they had identified as a key part of their long-term academy pipeline. Manchester United also entered the race. City prevailed anyway.

Another academy coup

Nduka, born on 3 April 2010, joined Arsenal from Charlton Athletic in September 2025 and made an immediate impression: 10 Under-18 appearances, two at Premier League 2 level, a UEFA Youth League outing, and seven England Under-16 caps. He will join City initially on scholarship terms, with a professional contract to follow once he reaches the eligible age.

The move is another sign that Hugo Viana's first summer at the club is delivering at both senior and youth levels. Enzo Maresca's arrival has done nothing to slow the long-term planning. City's Youth Cup win in May — a 2-1 final victory over United — and the sight of Nico O'Reilly progressing through the system to play for England at a World Cup provide the selling points. They clearly still work.

The 26-year-old, who joined the club's academy at the age of nine, has been one of the defining figures of the most successful period in City's history. His 369 appearances, 110 goals, 68 assists and 20 trophies — including a central role in the 2022-23 treble — tell their own story.

Negotiations had been ongoing since the latter part of 2025, according to sources, and the deal was finalised on the eve of pre-season.

'Committing my future to City means everything to me. Playing for this club is all I've ever wanted to do and it's always an honour to wear the shirt.'

The Stockport-born attacker also acknowledged the transition underway at the club. 'As many of the legends who were here when I first broke through move on, I am excited for the next phase of my career at this great club,' Foden said.

That next phase will be under newly-appointed manager Enzo Maresca, with whom Foden has previous. 'I can't wait to work with Enzo again,' Foden said. 'He was brilliant during the Treble season — someone all the players respected and loved working with. To have him back here is exciting.'

The Athletic's Sam Lee reports that Foden is considered a central part of Maresca's plans. The news comes as the club completed the signing of Elliot Anderson for a club-record £116 million from Nottingham Forest, suggesting significant squad reshaping is underway this summer.

Director of football Hugo Viana described Foden as a 'unique talent' whose 'creativity is a joy to watch', but stressed the player's work ethic. 'None of what he's achieved would be possible without the focus, dedication and humility to work hard in every moment and absorb all the knowledge available through our coaches and players,' Viana said.

At 26, Foden's best years may still be ahead of him. Viana certainly thinks so: 'His development is still ongoing, and we look forward to seeing the player Phil can become over the coming years.'

City’s search for attacking reinforcements could reveal plenty about the direction Enzo Maresca wants to take the team. The club have been linked with a number of young wingers this summer, including RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, as they assess their options in the wide areas.

However, the need for another winger could depend on what Maresca sees in Savinho. The Brazilian arrived last summer with a reputation as a direct, dribbling wide man, but his first season at the Etihad was a mixed bag — flashes of brilliance interrupted by long stretches on the periphery.

Whether he is seen as a long-term starter or a squad player will shape the club's approach in the market. If Maresca trusts Savinho to take on a bigger role, the Diomande interest might be more about depth. If not, City could be preparing for a more significant reshuffle in attack.

And with pre-season starting against Inter Milan on 1st August, the clock is ticking.

City have reached an agreement in principle on personal terms with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to journalist Nicolò Schira. The 18-year-old is understood to have accepted a contract that would run until June 2031, the clearest sign yet that the Blues' long-running pursuit of the Morocco international is nearing a breakthrough.

Talks with Lille continue. The two clubs have not yet finalised a transfer fee, though the personal terms deal suggests the gap is narrowing.

What Bouaddi would bring

At 18, Bouaddi already has senior international experience with Morocco and has broken into the Lille first team. A contract until 2031 — seven years — would represent a significant commitment from both sides.

Whether he arrives in time to feature in pre-season remains to be seen. City's first friendly, against Inter Milan, is on 1st August. The new Premier League season starts on 23rd August.

City have already brought in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and Jeremy Monga from Leicester City as Enzo Maresca shapes his squad for the coming campaign. The departures have been just as significant. Nathan Ake has joined Fenerbahce, Bernardo Silva has moved to Real Madrid, and John Stones remains without a club after leaving at the end of last season.

The defensive ranks could thin further. Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in Ruben Dias.

Rodri's Situation

Then there is Rodri. The midfielder was outstanding in the 2026 World Cup, reminding everyone of his quality after spending much of the last two seasons on the injury list. His current contract expires at the end of the upcoming season, which naturally raises questions about what happens next.

No bid has arrived. No formal talks have been reported. But with 12 months left on his deal, the clock is ticking.

Foden Set to Stay

On a brighter note, Phil Foden is reportedly due to sign a new contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030. That would represent a statement of intent from a player who has been with City since childhood.

Securing Foden long-term feels like the kind of business that settles a dressing room. The Rodri situation, by contrast, is a loose end Maresca could do without as his first season approaches.

Pre-season begins against Inter Milan on 1st August. The squad is taking shape, but some questions remain unanswered.

Vinicius Jr's decision to publicly wish Erling Haaland a happy birthday on Instagram has, predictably, done little to quieten the noise around his future at Real Madrid. The Brazil international, who turned 26 in July, joined Jude Bellingham in the comments section of Haaland's birthday post — a small gesture that has been seized upon by those who read meaning into every digital interaction between elite players.

What gives it weight is the context.

Vinicius's current contract at the Bernabeu runs until June 2027. That sounds secure enough until you learn that talks over a renewal have stalled at a significant impasse over salary demands the club has been reluctant to meet. The winger is seeking a salary comparable to that of Kylian Mbappe, understood to be in the region of €30 million per season. Real Madrid's most recent proposal fell considerably short of that figure.

Deadline approaching

Real Madrid have now set a clear deadline for the renewal talks. The club are understood to be unwilling to allow Vinicius to enter the final year of his deal without an agreement in place, and have signalled an openness to a sale this summer should a proposal arrive that satisfies their financial requirements.

Arsenal is reported to be among five Premier League clubs being kept informed of developments. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, is understood to have made an approach. The usual suspects are circling.

City's position

For City, the situation is worth monitoring, though not yet worth acting upon. There is no credible suggestion at this stage that the Blues are among the clubs in direct contact over Vinicius's situation. That may change, but it hasn't yet.

The winger position remains one of the areas in which City are actively seeking to strengthen. Director of football Hugo Viana and Enzo Maresca are overseeing a rebuild with a clear sense of structure and priority. Viana has a stated desire for an attacker capable of dribbling and creating chances with passes — a description that fits Vinicius Jr like a glove. The £116 million arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest suggests the budget exists for a statement signing if the right opportunity presents itself.

Whether the Norwegian striker's birthday post was a nudge or just a social media nicety is impossible to say. But in a summer where Real Madrid's patience is finite and City's shopping list is not, it is a detail worth filing away.

Manchester City have secured a deal for Arsenal midfielder Mishel Nduka, with the teenager expected to undergo a medical in the coming days. David Ornstein of The Athletic broke the news, adding another promising name to the club's youth ranks.

The move is a swift one. No protracted negotiations, no last-minute snags — just an agreement and a medical on the horizon. For a player of Nduka's age, that speed suggests City moved decisively once they identified their target.

Ornstein's report confirms the deal is done. The medical is the final formality before an official announcement, which should follow shortly after.

Nduka arrives from Arsenal's academy, where he has been regarded as one of their brighter prospects. City's recruitment operation has been tracking young talent aggressively in recent windows, and this signing fits that pattern. Whether he progresses through the Under-21s or steps straight into the EDS setup remains to be seen, but the club's track record with developing midfielders speaks for itself.

The move also represents a small victory in the arms race for the country's best schoolboy talent. Arsenal will not be thrilled to lose one of their own to a direct rival, but these things happen when City come calling with a clear pathway and the kind of facilities that turn heads.

More to follow as the medical is completed and the paperwork is signed.

City have formally agreed a deal to sign Mishel Nduka from Arsenal, closing out a pursuit first reported on this site back on 9 July. The 16-year-old is expected in Manchester for a medical before joining on scholarship terms, with a professional contract lined up once he reaches the appropriate age.

David Ornstein confirmed the agreement. Standard stuff for this kind of move — the sort of low-profile capture that tends to go under the radar outside the academy circuit.

Nduka is the latest in a growing list of youngsters to swap north London for the Etihad Campus in recent windows. City's recruitment operation continues to cast a wide net, and Arsenal's production line at Hale End has been a fertile hunting ground. Whether this one progresses through the ranks or gets loaned out further down the line remains to be seen, but for now, it is another piece of business done quietly and efficiently.

Newcastle United have been told the asking price for Tijjani Reijnders. The message, essentially, is that there isn't one. Manchester City are not interested in selling the Dutch midfielder unless an extraordinary offer lands at the Etihad — the kind of bid that makes you reconsider everything.

Reijnders joined City from AC Milan last summer and turns 28 next week. In his debut Premier League campaign he contributed five goals and two assists across 26 appearances. Not headline numbers, perhaps, but the club value what he does beyond the stats sheet.

According to a new report, director of football Hugo Viana and newly-appointed manager Enzo Maresca both regard Reijnders as central to their plans. That assessment has been reinforced by the departures of Mateo Kovacic and other fringe midfield figures, which have already thinned the options available to Maresca.

Newcastle's interest

Newcastle have registered interest in Reijnders, part of a summer recruitment drive that has already seen them beat City to the signing of Sandro Tonali. The Magpies may fancy their chances again, but the asking price is likely to give them pause.

City are looking to strengthen their midfield this summer, not weaken it. The £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest has been accompanied by active pursuit of further additions. Letting Reijnders go would run counter to that logic.

Reijnders offers a particular combination of technical quality, physical intensity and tactical intelligence that has made him genuinely difficult to replicate in the market.

O'Rourke's suggestion that Reijnders would not be right at the top of the list of Newcastle's summer reinforcements is perhaps the most pragmatic takeaway from the report. The Magpies have other priorities. City have no intention of making this an easy one.

Florentino Perez had rejected the idea of signing Rodri only a few weeks ago. Now, according to journalist Matteo Moretto, Real Madrid are pressing to reach an agreement with the Manchester City midfielder. The shift follows a World Cup campaign that reminded everyone — including Madrid — exactly what the Spaniard brings to a team.

Rodri was named FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament after Spain beat Lionel Messi's Argentina 1-0 in the final in New York. He edged out Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham for the individual honour, though the decision attracted some doubts. The numbers and the trophy speak for themselves, though. Rodri produced immense performances throughout the tournament as Luis de la Fuente's side claimed a second world title, two years after the midfielder had led City to their first Champions League crown.

City's stance is clear

City are not interested in losing their most important player. They are said to desperately want Rodri to remain at the Etihad until at least the end of his current contract, which runs through 2026-27. The club have presented a huge financial offer to renew his deal and are working alongside the midfielder and his representatives to keep him at the City Football Academy.

Rodri's own words from March add a layer of uncertainty. He admitted then that you 'cannot turn down the best clubs in the world'. He also noted that his Atletico Madrid past would not stop him from playing for their cross-city rivals. That was before the World Cup final. Before Madrid's internal reconsideration.

The 30-year-old joined City from Atletico in July 2019 for a then-club record £62.8 million. He quickly became one of the greatest players in the club's history, helping City reach unprecedented heights. He played a part in the Treble campaign of 2023, then tore his anterior cruciate ligament at the start of the 2024-25 season. He returned to his former, Ballon d'Or-winning ways. Last season, he played a large part in City's domestic double — a Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal and an FA Cup final triumph against Chelsea.

Madrid's renewed interest is real. Whether it is enough to prise him away, with a year left on his deal and City offering the earth to keep him, is another matter entirely.

City are entering unfamiliar territory. For the first time in nearly a decade, the club are preparing for a season without Pep. Enzo Maresca now has the task of taking charge of a squad built on Guardiola’s principles while creating his own identity. There are no definitive answers yet. Those will only come on the pitch.

Pre-season starts against Inter Milan on 1st August. That is where the real work begins.

Maresca inherits a side that knows how to win. City won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in 2025-26. But the Premier League title now belongs to Arsenal, and PSG hold the Champions League. The standards at the Etihad have not dropped, but the landscape has shifted.

The squad has changed too. Bernardo Silva and John Stones have left this summer. That is two experienced, versatile players gone from the spine. Maresca will need to decide who replaces them — and how quickly the new combinations can gel.

What does Maresca want to change?

Guardiola’s methods are not a manual to be followed blindly. Maresca has worked under him before, but also managed Leicester and Parma. He has his own ideas. The balance between continuity and change will define pre-season. Too much too soon risks confusion. Too little risks being a pale imitation.

The striker question lingers too. City spent much of last season without a traditional number nine. That approach worked more often than not, but it required specific movement patterns and understanding. Maresca may have his own preferences. The friendlies will offer early clues.

Authority and the legal cloud

Guardiola’s presence was absolute. Every player knew the standards, the drills, the demands. Maresca will have to establish his own authority without dismantling what already works. That is a delicate process, and not everyone will adjust at the same speed.

Meanwhile, the 115 charges remain unresolved. No decision has come, and no timeline is clear. That cloud has not lifted, and it will not disappear just because the manager has changed. Maresca must prepare a squad for the season ahead while the club’s future remains in legal limbo.

Answers will come on the pitch, starting against Inter. Until then, questions are all we have.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed what many suspected: Rodri dreams of playing for Real Madrid. The Manchester City midfielder, fresh from lifting the World Cup with Spain and collecting the Player of the Tournament award, is open to a move back to the Spanish capital. There is, however, a significant hitch.

The problem is not City. It is Florentino Perez.

Romano reports that the Real Madrid president is not convinced about pursuing Rodri. The 30-year-old came through the youth system at Atletico Madrid, so a switch across town would carry obvious emotional weight. But Perez, the man who ultimately signs off on major deals, has not been won over. Right now, that is the main obstacle blocking the move.

Meanwhile, City have placed a very important offer financially on the table for a 30-year-old who remains one of the best footballers in the world. Rodri is under contract only until 2027. The ball, it seems, is in his court — but only up to a point.

It will now be up to Rodri to decide whether he wants to accept the contract or remain at Man City for one more season before potentially leaving as a free agent in 2027.

That is the choice. Accept a lucrative extension and commit his peak years to the Blues, or run down his deal and wait for a door that may or may not open at the Bernabeu. Perez’s reluctance means Rodri cannot simply force the issue. He would love to join Real Madrid one day — but whether that day comes depends on a president who, for now, is looking the other way.

For City, the situation is straightforward. They have made their offer. The rest is up to Rodri — and, ultimately, Florentino Perez.