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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What he learned at City first time around

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That much is clear. The rise has been rapid.

From Forest to the elite in 12 months

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But Arsenal are not alone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Maresca's first test of squad management

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

City have already moved to cover

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

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

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

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

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

Mendes factor

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

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

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

Vitor Reis and Phil Foden have both spoken publicly about their excitement as the Italian takes charge at the Etihad. Maresca, who previously served as an assistant under Pep Guardiola, returns to the club following a spell managing elsewhere.

Reis, who joined City from Nottingham Forest this summer, did not hold back in his assessment.

“Maresca is a great coach who has a lot of football knowledge. My expectations for working with him are very high.”

The defender’s arrival, along with the appointment of a manager who knows the club’s structure, suggests continuity remains a priority for the Blues. City go into the new season as FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders.

Foden, fresh from signing a contract extension that runs until 2030, offered a more personal reflection. He recalled Maresca’s role during the treble-winning campaign of 2022-23.

“So excited. Obviously, I’ve had Enzo before. When we had him in the Treble season, he was brilliant.”

The England international went further, praising the manager’s individual approach.

“His attention to detail, the small things that make a big difference, and even training with him at the moment, you can tell how good of a coach he is. I’m really excited to play under him and see where it goes. He’s so nice. He’s down to earth. He’s someone that you can go to and talk about anything to him, and he would help you out.”

Foden also highlighted the extra work Maresca put in during his first stint at the club.

“Even if you want to work on things to get better, he’ll do one-on-one sessions with you after training. And that’s something he did with me as well when he was here. I did small finishing drills with him and things like that, and he really grew my game.”

The early signs are that the squad is buying in. Whether that translates into silverware remains to be seen, but the mood around the camp appears positive.

Phil Foden's new deal was only announced on Wednesday afternoon, but the club's contract team are clearly not taking a breather. Two more first-team players are expected to follow the England international in committing their long-term futures to Manchester City.

According to The Athletic's Sam Lee, both Abdukodir Khusanov and Jeremy Doku are set to agree terms on new contracts that run until the summer of 2031. Foden's own deal is until 2030 with an option for an extra year, putting all three on broadly the same timeline.

Confirmation of Khusanov's extension is expected shortly. The Uzbekistan international arrived at the club less than a year ago but has clearly done enough to earn a significant commitment from the hierarchy.

Doku's announcement will follow later. The Belgian winger instructed his advisors to handle the paperwork while he was away at the World Cup with Belgium, with no intention of looking elsewhere. That suggests a player happy with his lot at the Etihad, which is always a decent sign.

Josko Gvardiol is expected to be the next player to formally sign on to a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, despite weighing up his options concerning his future earlier this summer.

The Croatian defender is expected to commit until 2031, despite reported interest from Bayern Munich and clubs in Spain. That would represent a significant shift from the uncertainty that surrounded his future just a few weeks ago.

The Rodri question lingers

All of which leaves the biggest piece of business still unresolved. Rodri, the World Cup-winning captain, is seemingly hesitant to sign City's contractual proposal — a deal that would make him one of the club's leading earners. Real Madrid are monitoring the situation closely, and given the midfielder's public desire to return to Spain at some stage, this one could run deep into the summer.

For now, though, the focus is on those who are ready to sign. Khusanov and Doku look set to be the next names on the dotted line. Gvardiol won't be far behind.