There are match-winners, and then there are players who change the geometry of a game. Rayan Cherki, it seems, belongs to the latter category.

The French international came off the bench in the 63rd minute last Sunday as City trailed Bournemouth at the Etihad. By full-time, he had set up both goals in a 2-1 comeback victory that got the 2026-27 Premier League campaign off to a spirited start.

His decisive moment arrived in the 91st minute. Cherki held off two Bournemouth defenders, spotted Josko Gvardiol in space just inside the area, and played a through ball that the Croatian dispatched with his right foot after working the shooting opportunity with some neat footwork.

It was the kind of intervention that managers talk about in hushed tones. Enzo Maresca, speaking ahead of City's trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, was happy to spell it out.

“Rayan made an impact the other day [vs Bournemouth]. For sure, he’s one of the players in terms of quality; he’s a different player compared to the rest because he can give us, in some moments when we struggle but especially in the last third; it’s what we need.”

That last part matters. Every squad has players who can run, press, and recycle possession. Few have someone who can unlock a packed defence with a single pass, who can take the ball under pressure and still find the killer ball.

Maresca acknowledged that Cherki offers an attacking threat that no other City player does. The manager also pointed out that Cherki is still young — 22 or 23 — and that he is happy with the way he is working.

If Sunday's cameo is anything to go by, that work is already paying dividends. Cherki did not just add quality; he added a dimension. And against a Bournemouth side that had made life difficult, that dimension proved decisive.

Palace, no doubt, will have taken note. Stopping Cherki for 63 minutes is one thing. Stopping him for 90 is quite another.

Manchester City will begin the defence of their Carabao Cup crown at the Etihad Stadium against Norwich City.

The draw for the third round, held earlier this week, paired Enzo Maresca's side with the Canaries in a tie scheduled for the week beginning September 14.

City enter the competition at this stage because of their involvement in the Champions League, a familiar quirk of the calendar that spares them the early rounds. Norwich, by contrast, have already earned their place here the hard way, seeing off MK Dons and Cardiff City to reach this point.

Last season's final was a comfortable afternoon at Wembley, where Nico O'Reilly's brace secured a 2-0 win over Arsenal and delivered another piece of silverware to the cabinet. That triumph means City arrive at this year's competition as holders, a status that brings with it a certain expectation.

Norwich will hardly be daunted by the occasion, though. They have already shown they can navigate a cup run, and a trip to the Etihad represents the kind of tie that defines a season for clubs of their size. For City, the priority will be progression without fuss, though the Blues know these fixtures can throw up surprises.

The club confirmed the fixture on social media on August 26, with a simple message that laid out the task ahead. Attention now turns to September, when the Carabao Cup road resumes.

If the summer window was a boxing match, City have just thrown a one-two that has everyone's attention. The club are closing in on two major signings that could reshape the midfield and the attack before the season kicks off.

The headline act is Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine has already agreed to reunite with Enzo Maresca at the Etihad, and City are expected to meet the £120m asking price with a formal bid. Reports from Argentina suggest a deal is essentially done, with Fernandez set to sign a contract until 2032, with an option for a further year.

Fabrizio Romano has insisted personal terms are not an issue, and City are in daily contact with the player's representatives. The next step is direct talks with Chelsea, who are willing to sell but want a replacement lined up first. Fernandez was left out of Chelsea's squad for their League Cup tie against Luton Town, which has only fuelled the speculation. One journalist, Alex Crook, simply posted 'Enzo Fernandez to #MCFC' with an egg timer emoji on X. Make of that what you will.

Meanwhile, the other piece of business is Everton's Iliman Ndiaye. City are preparing an £80m bid for the winger, who has already turned down Al-Hilal and another Saudi club this summer because he wants to stay in the Premier League. The Blues have a good relationship with his agents, and negotiations are ongoing. There's even talk of a swap deal that would send Jack Grealish back to Everton as part of the conversation.

Ndiaye is the primary target, but Cody Gakpo and Pedro Neto are alternatives if this one doesn't land.

All of this comes after a summer that has seen a host of departures — James Trafford, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Rodri, Kalvin Phillips, Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Savio and Omar Marmoush have all left. That's a lot of experience out the door, and this spending spree looks like the answer to that exodus.

Whether the club can get both deals over the line remains to be seen, but the direction of travel is clear. City are not just replacing bodies; they're going big.

Thursday was one of those days at the Etihad where the in-tray never seemed to empty. With the transfer window approaching its final stretch, movement arrived in both directions, and by the evening City's squad looked a little different to how it had started the day.

The headline noise surrounded Iliman Ndiaye. The Everton attacker began Thursday as a name on City's radar, but by the afternoon reports had shifted from vague interest to something more concrete. TalkSPORT's Alex Crook first flagged the Blues' pursuit of the Senegal international, who Everton value at around £80million. Fabrizio Romano then suggested City had put a possible deal to the Merseyside club, with Ben Jacobs subsequently reporting City were working on a move.

None of this is done yet. No agreement has been reported, and there's nothing to establish this as a straight swap — even if the timing feels significant.

Grealish and the Everton link

The reason for that is Jack Grealish. The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Goodison Park and is keen to return, which would see him head back to Everton if an agreement is found. Whether that ends up being part of a wider negotiation involving Ndiaye remains to be seen, but the two threads are clearly connected.

Meanwhile, Omar Marmoush is heading to Tottenham. City have agreed terms for the forward to join on loan with a £60million obligation to buy, and he'll follow Savinho to north London. That further reshapes Maresca's attacking options — and opens up space for another forward to arrive.

Gonzalez departs

Nico Gonzalez's time at City is over. The midfielder has completed a permanent move to Newcastle after 18 months at the club, leaving with 59 appearances and four goals to his name. Neither club disclosed the fee, though Sky Sports reports the deal could reach £50million including add-ons, potentially allowing City to recover what they paid Porto in February 2025.

Gonzalez said his desire to play more regularly was a factor in leaving. It's hard to argue with that logic.

Maresca's captaincy wish

Friday brings a trip to Selhurst Park, and Maresca faced the media beforehand. He said he'd like another "one or two captains" alongside Rúben Dias and Erling Haaland. The Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández knows Maresca well from their time together at Stamford Bridge and has been one of City's major targets this window.

On the team news front: Jérémy Doku is out, still sidelined by the calf problem he suffered in the Community Shield, which also kept him out of Sunday's 2-1 win over Bournemouth. Elliot Anderson is available after his issue against the Cherries proved to be cramp, while Matheus Nunes is fit enough to be considered despite not being at 100 per cent.

Ayyoub Bouaddi could make his debut. The 18-year-old joined from Lille this week, and Maresca confirmed he arrives match-fit after training normally with his former club. "He is ready, he was working with his former club so he is fit," the City boss said. City will give him time to settle, but nothing prevents him being involved against Palace.

Maresca must also decide whether Rayan Cherki's two assists from the bench last weekend earn him a start.

Draws and dates

Elsewhere, City discovered their first Carabao Cup opponents: a home tie against Norwich City, who earned their place in the third round by beating MK Dons and Cardiff. City enter at this stage due to their European commitments. The tie is scheduled for the week commencing 14 September, with the exact date and kick-off time still to be confirmed.

City are also in Pot 1 for Thursday's Champions League draw. Each club will face two teams from each of the four pots, giving City eight different opponents and four home fixtures. Under the current format, they can even draw clubs from their own pot.

Friday's match at Crystal Palace kicks off at 8pm BST. City opened with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, needing two late goals to take the points. Palace were beaten 2-0 at Everton.

There was no gentle introduction for Enzo Maresca when the Champions League league phase draw was made. City will face Paris Saint-Germain at home, travel to Barcelona, host Sporting CP, and go to Porto. Napoli arrive at the Etihad, as do AEK Athens, while trips to RB Leipzig and RC Lens round out the eight fixtures.

It is a set of opponents with pedigree and awkward edges. PSG and Barcelona immediately stand out, but Porto away and Leipzig away are the kind of ties that decide seedings. Nobody in the City camp will be looking past Sporting or Lens either.

Maresca's Own History Lesson

The name on everyone's lips, though, is Maresca. The Italian was Pep Guardiola's assistant during that 2022/23 campaign, when City lifted the European Cup for the first time as part of a continental treble. Now he sits in the main seat, charged with doing it all over again.

Enzo Maresca will be looking to bring the UEFA Champions League title to the Etihad Stadium for only the second time in the club's history.

He takes on the top job after Guardiola's exit at the end of last season. There is symmetry in that. The man who helped plot the club's greatest European night now has to engineer a second one on his own terms.

The draw offers him a chance to measure himself against the very best quickly. Barcelona away, PSG at home — these are not fixtures for easing in gently. But then Maresca never struck anyone as someone who wanted the easy road.

Marc Guehi's late header rescued Manchester City from a second successive competitive defeat under Enzo Maresca, but the more intriguing takeaway from Sunday's win over Bournemouth was where the centre-back was playing.

Deployed in midfield, the 26-year-old offered something City have lacked in the middle of the park: physical presence. Maresca, speaking on Thursday, did little to dampen the idea that Guehi could make that role his own.

"It's a solution! I don't know if it can be for the next game, but it's a solution," Maresca said.

The decision to use Guehi there was not, the manager insisted, a reflection of any frustration with the transfer market. It was about winning the game in front of them.

"It's not linked to if we buy players or we don't. It's just because we planned to win, the idea was also to have more physicality in the middle."

Bournemouth are a physical side, and Maresca pointed to Elliot Anderson, Guehi and Nico O'Reilly as the answer to that particular problem. Guehi, he said, was good.

The England international had already made his mark before the winner. He missed a header into an open goal from a corner in the second half, then made amends with another header that found the net via a deflection. It was that kind of afternoon — City wasted a series of glorious chances, with Erling Haaland heading wide early on after fine work from O'Reilly down the left.

Guehi's off-the-ball work rate has drawn plaudits, and he continues to pose a threat in the opposition box from set-pieces. Maresca sees him as more than a stopgap.

"The good thing is now he gives us solutions for the future."

Whether that future is in defence or midfield remains to be seen. Since arriving from Crystal Palace for £20 million in January, Guehi has been a regular in a backline that pushed Arsenal all the way in last season's title race. With Ruben Dias linked to Real Madrid — even if he has been named captain after Bernardo Silva's exit — Guehi's versatility could prove vital.

He has previous against City, too, having led Palace to FA Cup glory at Guardiola's expense. That history, plus Sunday's showing, should be enough to earn him a start at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening.

Maresca will decide the first XI after a training session on Friday. He has a welcome dilemma on his hands.

Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Manchester City are actively seeking to bolster their leadership group before the transfer window slams shut on Tuesday, with Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández emerging as the club's prime target.

Speaking after City's latest pre-season outing, Maresca acknowledged that the squad already possesses experienced figures and leaders, but he made it clear that the coaching staff are looking to add one or two more captains to the existing core of Rúben Dias and Erling Haaland.

"We have experienced players," Maresca said. "For sure, we have leaders. Now we need to wait four-five more days until the transfer window closes to see if we can add one or two more captains to Rúben and Erling."

The pursuit of Fernández is no secret. City have identified the 25-year-old as a candidate capable of immediately assuming significant responsibility in the dressing room, and despite Chelsea's self-imposed 14 August deadline for a formal bid passing without an offer, the Blues are still expected to make a late move.

There is a clear tactical dimension to the interest too. Adding Fernández would bring composure and control in the central third, building on the lessons that began in the K League All-Stars game and were sharpened during the Inter Milan friendly.

Meanwhile, the squad is set for further movement before the deadline. Omar Marmoush is poised to join Tottenham Hotspur, with Maresca confirming the Egyptian's departure is close but not yet finalised.

"I think Omar is set to leave. It's not done yet, but we are waiting for that," Maresca said.

There is also an update on Jack Grealish, who has been linked with a loan exit. Maresca was typically measured on the subject, noting that the winger remains part of the squad until he isn't.

"Jack is here until the day that he's not here," the manager said. "It's my duty to try to help him to give us the best, and then we'll see in the next four-five days what happens."

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo is also being monitored, though no further details were offered. With the window closing in a matter of days, the next week will define the shape of Maresca's squad for the season ahead.

Ayyoub Bouaddi is set to be part of the Manchester City squad for tomorrow night's trip to Selhurst Park, with Enzo Maresca confirming the new signing is fit and available for the second Premier League match of the season.

The 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder completed his move from Lille yesterday, and Maresca has indicated that a place on the bench is the most likely outcome for the youngster against Crystal Palace.

Speaking ahead of the game, the City boss was clear that Bouaddi has done enough in training to be involved, even if a starting berth appears unlikely at this stage.

“He is ready, he was working with his former club so he is fit,” Maresca said. “We will see how long it is in terms of adaptation but for sure he is ready to go.”

The Italian was equally measured when discussing how quickly the teenager should be expected to settle into English football. Bouaddi, he noted, carries himself with a maturity that belies his age.

“He’s quite calm. He doesn’t look 18 – he looks older which is important but in this case we need to go slowly because he is young, came from a different country,” Maresca added.

There is a clear sense that City intend to manage Bouaddi's introduction carefully. The manager stressed that there is no rush to throw him into the deep end, even if the long-term plan is for him to become a key figure in the club's midfield.

“No rush for him. For sure he will help us now and in the future. But he is just 18. It is my job and it’s the club’s job to manage him in the best way, don’t put pressure on him, he is young and he needs time,” he said.

Given that approach, it would be a surprise to see Bouaddi named in the starting XI at Selhurst Park. A spot among the substitutes looks more plausible, with any minutes he can pick up tomorrow night representing a useful first step.

If Bouaddi does get some game time against Palace, it would be a solid foundation for what promises to be a gradual integration into Maresca's plans.

Nico Gonzalez's time at the Etihad is over. The midfielder has completed a permanent switch to Newcastle, ending an 18-month spell that brought two domestic cups but never quite the regular football he craved.

City confirmed the deal on Wednesday, with the Magpies announcing the 24-year-old has signed a long-term contract and will take the No.6 shirt. The fee has not been disclosed, though Sky Sports reports the package could reach £50million with add-ons.

Gonzalez made 59 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, scoring four goals. His most significant contribution came in last season's FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, where he found the net en route to a cup double.

"I've loved my time here, but I have a desire to play more often," Gonzalez told City's official website.

It is a sentiment that makes sense of the move. At City, he was part of a deep squad; at St James' Park, he is likely to be a more central figure. He was presented to the Newcastle supporters before Wednesday night's Carabao Cup tie against West Bromwich Albion.

The departure brings a tidy return on a player who arrived with promise but never quite nailed down a starting berth. For City, it is a sale that makes financial sense; for Gonzalez, a chance to be more than a squad man.

For the best part of a year, Matheus Nunes was a man at war with his own reflection. The Portugal international arrived at City from Wolves in August 2023 as a midfielder, and he was determined to stay one. Football, however, had other ideas.

Shuffled between the left wing and an unfamiliar left-back role for a pre-Christmas derby against United, Nunes endured an afternoon he still ranks as the toughest of his career. A late penalty conceded brought United level before Amad Diallo snatched a stoppage-time winner. “Individually, I would say this is probably the most difficult game,” he admitted in a recent interview.

That night encapsulated everything wrong with his makeshift existence. He was neither one thing nor the other — a square peg being hammered into whichever hole was vacant.

The Club World Cup turning point

The shift came the following summer, at the expanded Club World Cup in the United States. Under the defensive guidance of assistants Pep Lijnders and, in particular, former Arsenal ‘Invincible’ Kolo Toure, Nunes began to look like he belonged at the back.

So convincing was the transformation that supporters and team-mates started calling him ‘Cafunes’ — a nod to Brazil’s World Cup-winning full-back Cafu. By April, even Pep Guardiola was moved to describe him as becoming one of the best right-backs in the world.

Quite a journey for a man who spent months telling anyone who would listen otherwise.

“I spoke to so many people. I have a psychologist. I spoke to my friends. I would tell my friends all the time, ‘I’m not a full-back, I’m not a full-back’.”

Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias were relentless in their own campaign. “They were in my head constantly. ‘You were good there, you need to accept it’,” Nunes recalled.

Eventually, the 27-year-old conceded defeat — or perhaps victory, depending on your perspective. “At a certain point, you just have to see what the people are saying. You can’t be denying it for the rest of your life.”

Guardiola has since departed the Etihad, with former assistant Enzo Maresca now tasked with leading City into a new era. Whether the new boss sees Nunes as a full-back remains to be seen. The player himself, one suspects, has finally made his peace with the answer.

For all the talk of a new era under Enzo Maresca, the Champions League draw has a habit of dragging City back to the same old walls. Since lifting the trophy in Istanbul back in 2023, the Blues have managed exactly one knockout victory — against København — and have been sent packing by Real Madrid in each of the last three campaigns.

That record hangs over Thursday's league phase draw like a wet blanket.

The mechanics

The draw takes place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Thursday 27 August, kicking off at 6pm Central European Summer Time. That's 5pm in the UK, or noon on the east coast of the U.S. for those following from afar. BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max will carry it live in the UK, with CBS Sports covering it across the pond.

Be patient with the ceremony. Last year it took over half an hour for the first team to be pulled out of the hat.

Pot 1 and the big six

City's sixth-place standing in the five-year UEFA Coefficient Ranking puts them in pot 1, alongside the other heavy hitters. The structure guarantees they will face two of PSG, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan and Real Madrid from their own pot — a reminder that there is no such thing as an easy group stage anymore.

All 31 other clubs are potential opponents, barring the four fellow Premier League sides: Arsenal, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool are off limits.

The rules of engagement

The 36 clubs are split into four pots based on the UEFA Club Coefficient, with 29 direct entrants joined by seven play-off winners from Tuesday and Wednesday. City will play eight fixtures in total — two from each pot, one at home and one away, with four at the Etihad and four on the road.

There is one other constraint: no more than two clubs from a single country can be drawn against City. So if they pull Inter and Roma from pots 1 and 2, Napoli and Como would be ruled out from pots 3 and 4.

The draw works its way down from pot 1. Fixture dates and kick-off times land on Saturday morning.

For a club that has made a habit of meeting Madrid in the spring, the real intrigue might be in who lands in their path before the knockout rounds even begin.

Jack Grealish's time at Manchester City appears to be drawing to a close, with the attacking midfielder set to decide his future in the coming days. According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, both Everton and Aston Villa have been in contact over a potential move.

Writing on X, Romano stated: "EXCL: Jack Grealish to decide his future in the next days with Everton and Aston Villa in contact with his camp. Grealish keeps all options open ahead of the final decision; nothing concrete ongoing with Sunderland."

That last part is telling. Despite reports from The Athletic suggesting Sunderland's interest, Romano isn't convinced there's anything concrete there. The former England international, it seems, is more likely to return to one of his former clubs than head to the Stadium of Light.

Grealish joined City from Villa in 2021, and a romantic return to the Midlands would certainly lift the mood at a club that has lost key players this summer. Yet his loan spell at Everton last season appeared to reignite his enjoyment of the game, making Goodison Park an equally plausible destination.

At 31 next month, Grealish's peak years are behind him, but he could still offer plenty to a Premier League side. For City, his departure would mark the end of an era for a player who arrived with great fanfare and delivered moments of brilliance, even if his final seasons were less impactful.

Whatever happens, the next few days will be decisive. Everton and Villa wait, Sunderland watch from afar, and Grealish holds all the cards.

Ayyoub Bouaddi's move to Manchester City is official, confirmed at the Etihad on Wednesday. The fee, reported to be upwards of €100m (£85.7m), tells you everything about the club's expectations. But according to Alan Smith, the real test starts now.

Smith, speaking exclusively, has cautioned that the 18-year-old must brace himself for a significant step up. 'Some players don't need time, but he's only 18 and has limited experience really, with a couple of seasons at Lille in France,' he said.

The holding midfielder arrives as a long-term investment, but that doesn't mean there won't be pressure. 'Obviously, it's a big step up to the Premier League, but he is talented,' Smith added. 'But he's a long-term signing, and he's got new teammates to get used to.'

That adjustment period could be lengthy. 'Perhaps it's not going to click straight away. It'll be a learning process, but it's a good signing for City,' Smith said.

What makes Bouaddi's task particularly daunting is the role he's expected to fill. With Rodri's departure, City have turned to a teenager with no experience of English football to anchor the midfield. 'It's asking a lot of a teenager with no experience of English football to replace Rodri,' Smith admitted.

The expectation is heightened by the price tag. 'There will be a lot of expectation placed on his shoulders due to his price tag,' Smith noted.

Bouaddi's game, according to the analysis, is most similar to the former Ballon d'Or winner. That comparison alone sets a high bar. Yet City's actions suggest they believe he can reach it.

The club have decided to offload two other midfielders, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez, both far more experienced than Bouaddi. It's a clear statement of intent. As the article points out, it demonstrates how highly they rate the Moroccan international, considering they were willing to sell these players to make room for him.

Smith's message is simple: Bouaddi will be expected to perform to a good level right from the off. The learning curve will be steep, but City have made their choice. Now the teenager has to prove it.

Just when it looked like the Etihad's midfield rebuild was done, a fresh one has surfaced. Frenkie De Jong, the Barcelona midfielder, is the latest to be linked with a move to Manchester City as the summer window rattles towards its close.

It would be a strange one, on the face of it. De Jong is 29, currently injured, and only signed a new deal with Barcelona last October. Then again, strangeness has been the theme of this window.

City have already seen Rodri, Tijani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva depart in a hectic reshaping of the midfield. In have come Elliot Anderson — the club-record signing at £116 million — and Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old arriving in a €100 million package deal from Lille. Busy would be an understatement.

The injury complication

De Jong's situation is not straightforward. He picked up an injury while on international duty with the Netherlands at the World Cup, and on 23 July Barcelona confirmed he had suffered a tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

The Catalan club said he would undergo conservative treatment rather than surgery, but declined to put a timeframe on his recovery. For a club chasing an immediate fix, that is less than ideal.

What would he bring?

De Jong's pedigree is not in question. He was part of the Ajax generation that reached the Champions League semi-final in 2019, the side that briefly made everyone believe in something. He has since been a fixture at Barcelona, though the last few years have not always been kind to him.

Transfermarkt currently values him at around €35 million, a figure that feels modest for a player of his standing. Whether that reflects his injury, his age, or simply the market's mood is open to debate.

For City, the appeal is obvious enough. A midfielder of De Jong's class, available at a reasonable price, with experience at the highest level. The complications are just as obvious. His fitness, his contract situation, and the fact that Barcelona may not be willing to let him go cheaply despite the valuation.

It is a rumour with plenty of moving parts. Whether it becomes anything more than that before the window slams shut remains to be seen.

Sunderland have made an ambitious formal offer to take Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

The proposal is striking in its scope. The North East club want the 30-year-old for the entire campaign, with City expected to cover part of his considerable wages to make it work. There is also a clause that could see the move become permanent next summer, when Grealish's contract at the Etihad is due to expire.

It represents a bold pitch from a club who are clearly trying to think bigger than their current standing. Alongside the Grealish pursuit, Sunderland are also chasing Igor Paixao, a winger who has been linked with Arsenal, as they look to strengthen their wide options on several fronts simultaneously.

For Grealish, the appeal is obvious. A career that began with such fanfare at Aston Villa — where City paid a record-breaking £100 million for him in the summer of 2021 — has never quite delivered the consistent returns many expected in Manchester.

The trophies have arrived, it must be said. Three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a central role in the 2022/23 Champions League and Continental Treble. But a return of just 12 Premier League goals in nearly 100 appearances tells its own story. Under Pep Guardiola, Grealish has often found himself sacrificing the direct, explosive dribbling that made him a star, in favour of tactical discipline and ball retention. It has not always been a comfortable fit.

Now, with his place in the squad increasingly on the periphery, a loan to Sunderland offers something City cannot: guaranteed first-team football, a chance to revive his career, and a fresh start away from the glare of the title race.

Whether City accept the proposal remains to be seen. But the fact that a club like Sunderland feel they can even ask is a measure of how far Grealish's stock has fallen since those heady early days.

Early Life and Roots in Northern France

Bouaddi was born on 2 October 2007 in Senlis, in the Oise department of northern France. He began playing football as a young child in nearby Creil, joining local side AFC Creil's youth setup before, despite reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, choosing to join Lille's academy in 2021 at the age of 13.

Lille: Breaking Records From the Start

Bouaddi signed his first professional contract with Lille on 21 August 2023. He didn't have to wait long to make his mark: on 5 October 2023, just three days after turning 16, he made his senior debut in a UEFA Europa Conference League group match against Faroese side KÍ. At 16 years and 3 days old, he became the youngest player ever to appear in a European club competition, and the youngest player in Lille's history, surpassing a record that had stood since 1978.

From there, Bouaddi established himself as a first-team regular at the base of Lille's midfield, going on to make 96 appearances for the club. His performances marked him out as one of the standout academy products in France, with comparisons drawn to former Lille great Eden Hazard, and he became one of the most sought-after young midfielders in Europe, attracting reported interest from clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

International Career: France Youth to Morocco Seniors

Despite being born and raised in France, Bouaddi is of Moroccan descent through his parents. He progressed through France's youth ranks, representing the country from Under-16 to Under-21 level, before switching his international allegiance to Morocco. He went on to earn eight caps for the Atlas Lions and was named in Morocco's squad for the World Cup, where he started five of the team's six matches. He was especially impressive in Morocco's tournament-opening 1-1 draw with Brazil, dominating in midfield against an experienced trio of Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá, and finishing the match with a 91% pass completion rate.

Manchester City: A Record-Breaking Arrival

Manchester City agreed a deal with Lille worth up to £86m (a fixed fee of £81.3m plus £4.3m in add-ons) to sign Bouaddi, making him the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history, surpassing the £58.9m Manchester United paid Lille for Leny Yoro in 2024. He has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad, keeping him at the club until 2031, and arrives as City look to rebuild their midfield following the departures of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders.

Speaking on his move, Bouaddi pointed to a long-standing admiration for the club: he said he had watched City for years and loved their style of play, and that the club had shown itself to be built to win. He also spoke of having grown up watching City under Pep Guardiola, and of his excitement to work under Enzo Maresca, City's new head coach, calling the current squad world-class and stating his ambition to help the club challenge for further trophies.

Style of Play and Personality

Bouaddi is an elegant, ball-playing midfielder who operates comfortably at the base of midfield, standing at 1.85 metres. He is known for his composure on the ball, his range of passing, and a level of tactical maturity that has repeatedly seen him outshine much more experienced opposition, including during his standout display against Brazil's midfield at the World Cup. Former coaches at Creil noted his technique and vision from a young age, drawing early comparisons to World Cup winner Raphaël Varane.

Career Statistics and Honours

Club senior appearances:

• Lille: 96 appearances
• Manchester City: 0 appearances

International appearances:

• France (U16–U21): multiple youth caps
• Morocco: 8 caps

Notable records:

• Youngest player to appear in a European club competition (16 years, 3 days)
• Youngest player in Lille's history
• Most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history (£86m)

Ayyoub Bouaddi's career so far has been defined by breaking records ahead of schedule, from his teenage debut at Lille to becoming English football's most expensive teenage signing at just 18. Still only at the start of his career, he arrives at Manchester City with the reputation of a generational talent — and the platform at the Etihad to prove it.

Manchester City have joined the chase for Cody Gakpo, with reports on Monday suggesting the Blues have opened talks with the forward's representative over a move to the Etihad. It is the latest twist in a summer that has been dominated by speculation over the Dutchman's future at Anfield.

Liverpool, though, are not about to make things easy. The club are said to be unwilling to let Gakpo go unless they can bring in two replacements before the 1 September deadline. That is a significant ask, and it is hard to see how they get it done quickly.

Bradley Barcola remains the priority at Anfield, a player the Reds have been linked with for months. But even if that deal gets over the line, it would still leave them short of the two arrivals they want before sanctioning a departure.

There is, of course, the small matter of what Gakpo offers on the pitch. He reminded everyone of that on Sunday, scoring in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle. It was a timely reminder of his value, even after a season in which he struggled for consistency.

City's interest is partly about the wider picture. The Blues have been Liverpool's direct title rival for nearly a decade, and weakening a competitor while strengthening themselves is a familiar playbook. Whether Liverpool are willing to play along is another matter.

To complicate things further, there is the Endrick situation. Football Insider has reported that Liverpool will find it tough to sign the Brazilian this window, despite his emergence as a target in recent weeks. Jose Mourinho, we are told, plans to keep Endrick in his Real Madrid squad for the coming campaign.

That leaves Liverpool in an awkward spot. Their priority target may not be enough on its own, their fallback option appears to be slipping away, and City are hovering with an offer that would test their resolve. It is the kind of week that defines a transfer window.

City have confirmed the arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, the second midfield signing of a summer that is beginning to take on a clear shape.

The 18-year-old Moroccan international follows Elliot Anderson through the door at the Etihad, and the club have paid a significant sum to get their man — £81.3 million, with a further £4.3 million in add-ons, as reported by Sam Lee for The Athletic.

Bouaddi arrives with 96 Lille appearances already behind him, which is a lot of football for someone who only turned 18 recently. He has also won eight caps for Morocco and played his part in their run to the quarter-finals of this summer's World Cup.

For a player so young, the move represents a considerable step up. For City, it looks like a statement of intent about the direction of the midfield.

Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world. It's a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player.

Bouaddi said he has watched City for years and loves the style of play, and he was quick to praise what he is walking into.

The squad is world-class and Enzo is a top manager. And I'm really looking forward to playing at the Etihad Stadium, in front of all the fans.

The fee raises eyebrows for a teenager, but the club are clearly betting on potential as much as present ability. Bouaddi is expected to be a big part of City's future, and the early signs are that the future is arriving quickly.

Manchester City have officially confirmed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, with Director of Football Hugo Viana making clear the club's excitement over the 18-year-old's arrival.

Bouaddi arrives with a growing reputation, having impressed in Ligue 1 and caught the eye at the World Cup with Morocco. His move to the Etihad has now been made official via the club's website.

Viana, speaking after the deal was completed, was unequivocal in his assessment of the teenager.

“Ayyoub's potential is extremely high – a player equipped with everything a top midfielder needs. At just 18, he already has outstanding football intelligence, and that will only improve under the guidance of Enzo.”

City's recruitment team have clearly done their homework. Viana revealed they had watched Bouaddi “very, very closely”, and that process has left them convinced he is a huge talent who will thrive at the club.

“We are really happy he has joined us,” Viana added. “Our job now is to ensure we provide him with everything he needs to fulfil his potential.”

The signing comes at a significant moment for City's midfield. Rodri's departure to Barcelona this summer has left a gap that needs filling, and while keeping the experienced Spaniard would have been good for the squad, the club have moved to reshape the engine room.

Elliot Anderson has already arrived from Nottingham Forest earlier in the window, and the pair should combine as a strong new-look midfield capable of shining both now and in the years ahead.

For Bouaddi, though, the challenge is clear. He will now have to show what he can do at the very highest level, with big pressure on him at City in a way that there won't have been at Lille. Viana's words suggest the club believe he is ready for that step.

Omar Marmoush is close to becoming the second City attacker to trade the Etihad for north London in the space of a week, with Sky Germany reporting a full agreement with Tottenham over a deal worth up to €70m.

The Egypt international will initially join on loan, with an obligation to buy for around €58m. A further €12m could be payable in bonuses, of which €6m are described as guaranteed. He is reported to be undergoing his medical and is expected to sign a contract until 2030, with Spurs holding an option for a further year.

It was only on Sunday that Sky Germany reported Marmoush had agreed personal terms but that negotiations between the clubs were ongoing, with no final agreement and the structure of the transfer yet to be settled. That loose end now appears tied.

The transfer is not yet official, but the reported agreement leaves Marmoush close to becoming the latest player to leave Enzo Maresca's squad this summer.

City signed the forward from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 on a contract until 2029. Sky Germany adds that Frankfurt will not receive a sell-on payment from this deal.

Marmoush follows Sávio, who completed an initial £75m transfer to Tottenham on Tuesday, with a further £10m potentially payable in add-ons. Two attackers, two moves to the same club, one window. Tottenham's recruitment drive is coming at City's expense, and the Blues' attack is suddenly looking thinner than it did a fortnight ago.

Manchester City have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Enzo Fernandez over personal terms, with the midfielder said to be keen on a move to the Etihad. The catch? Chelsea's asking price.

Journalist Nicolo Schira claims the Blues are prepared to offer the Argentine a six-year deal, with a bid of around €130m (£111.3m) expected to be tabled imminently. That figure, however, would fall short of Chelsea's reported £120m valuation, leaving the two clubs with some negotiating to do.

City have yet to make an official offer, but that is expected to change shortly.

Maresca's influence

Head coach Enzo Maresca is said to be driving the move, eager to reunite with a player he worked with for one and a half seasons at Chelsea before his departure at the start of the year. The pair's previous relationship could prove decisive in convincing Fernandez to make the switch.

Fernandez was notably absent from the starting lineup for Chelsea's 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday, a decision that raised eyebrows even accounting for his late return from the World Cup. Speaking after the match, Blues boss Xabi Alonso offered little reassurance to those hoping he would stay, saying: "In football, I am not surprised by anything. We will see. My wish is that we know what will happen for the future, but we will see this week."

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Fernandez's long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

Gonzalez heading to Newcastle

Meanwhile, City are set to offload Nico Gonzalez, with the 24-year-old poised to complete a £52m move to Newcastle United in the coming hours. Gonzalez spent just over 18 months at the Etihad but never managed to establish himself as a regular starter, and his departure could free up both funds and a squad place for a marquee arrival like Fernandez.

With the transfer window entering its final days, City's business is picking up pace.

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year was announced tonight, and Manchester City's fingerprints are all over it. Four Blues were named in the eleven, with the lineup dominated by players from City and Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's side contributed five names, but the night belonged to a young City midfielder who walked away with a second piece of silverware.

Nico O'Reilly, rewarded for a fine 2025-26 season by being named in the Team of the Year, also claimed the PFA Young Player of the Year award. A good night for the academy graduate, to put it mildly.

He was joined in the eleven by Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo, all of whom saw their efforts across the campaign recognised. Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Brentford's Igor Thiago were the other names in the side.

Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly are all in the upper echelon of players in the Premier League.

For a club that has spent the summer being told its squad needs work, the recognition is a useful reminder of what is already in place. Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jeremy Doku are among those still at the Etihad, and the quartet honoured tonight sit comfortably alongside them.

The squad, though, is not yet complete. Further additions are required before the transfer window closes, and the City hierarchy are expected to get to work in the final week of the summer window to bring in those reinforcements.

For now, though, the honours are a fitting reward for four players who delivered when it mattered last season.

The Argentina midfielder has once again made clear he wants out of Stamford Bridge, with transfer reporter Nicolò Schira claiming Fernandez has asked Chelsea to sell him to City. Personal terms, per Schira, are already agreed on a contract running until 2032.

Whether Chelsea pay any attention is another matter.

There is no agreement between the clubs at this stage. Those details remain claims, and the gap between interest and a completed transfer is still considerable — not least because Schira's €130m figure is yet to be independently confirmed.

Deadline passed, interest remains

Chelsea previously slapped a £120m valuation on Fernandez and gave City a deadline earlier this month to meet it. No offer arrived before the cut-off, yet City have kept the door open.

Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that the Blues are poised to make a late move for the 25-year-old, while talkSPORT says an offer is being prepared.

The latest claim from Schira suggests Fernandez is now applying some pressure from his side, although Chelsea are under no obligation to sell one of their leading midfielders to a Premier League rival.

Maresca reunion on the cards

There is an obvious pull here beyond the money. Enzo Maresca worked with Fernandez at Stamford Bridge, and City have been reshaping their midfield following Rodri's departure this summer.

A reunion would make sense on paper. Whether Chelsea will play ball, with the window ticking down, is quite another question.

Josko Gvardiol has offered a candid assessment of life under Enzo Maresca, admitting the squad is still wrestling with the manager's defensive demands after a frantic opening weekend.

The Croatian's late double secured a 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday, but the scoreline flattered a defence that spent the first half scrambling. Three big chances went begging for the visitors before the interval, one of which Marcus Tavernier converted. It was, by any measure, a disjointed 45 minutes.

The second half told a different story. City tightened up considerably, restricting Marco Rose's side to a single clear opening — Daniel Jebbison's 80th-minute header, which Gianluigi Donnarumma saved.

A change of philosophy

Speaking after the game, Gvardiol was frank about the root cause. Maresca is asking his defenders to do something different to what Pep Guardiola embedded over years of dominance, and the transition is proving awkward.

"There is something that they used to do before at Chelsea and Leicester. It's not too complicated but the problem is our habit is slightly different than what he wants from us so it will take time. Every day we are working on it, and I think at the end of the day, it's a good idea, and I think it's going to work out."

There is no doubting the conviction behind the words. Gvardiol believes the tweak will ultimately prove successful, even if the early evidence is mixed.

The pattern is unlikely to shift overnight. This is probably how City will look across the opening weeks of the 2026-27 campaign — flashes of the old fluency punctuated by moments of defensive uncertainty, as an entire squad recalibrates to a manager whose ideas are completely different from his predecessor's.

Arsenal, remember, picked their way through this defence in the Community Shield, winning 3-0. Sunday was an improvement, of sorts. The hope is that the curve keeps pointing in the right direction.

Stephen Mfuni's path to first-team football has taken another turn, with his proposed loan switch to Coventry City falling through. The Sky Blues have instead set their sights on experienced Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock, leaving the 18-year-old to look elsewhere for minutes.

Watford, it seems, are the obvious answer. The Hornets retain an interest in taking Mfuni back on loan, and they now loom as the favourites to land him at this stage.

It is not hard to see why. Mfuni spent part of last season at Vicarage Road, impressing across eight Championship appearances. He knows the club, the league and the demands of a promotion scrap. That familiarity makes a return an appealing prospect for all parties.

For a defender long earmarked as one to watch, regular senior football is the priority. Coventry's change of heart is a setback, but Watford's interest offers a ready-made alternative.

Watford are looming as the favourites to sign Stephen Mfuni on loan at this stage.

Nothing is done yet, and these things can drag. But if the Hornets follow through, Mfuni gets continuity, and City get their young defender playing week-in, week-out in a demanding league. That, in the end, is what this is all about.

Manchester City have confirmed the sale of Savinho to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £85 million, with £75 million arriving upfront and the remaining £10 million tied up in add-ons. Of that bonus package, £5 million is considered easily achievable.

The 22-year-old Brazilian, who joined the Blues from City Football Group-owned ESTAC Troyes in 2024, has moved to north London seeking regular first-team football under Roberto De Zerbi. It is a move he had his heart set on last summer too, only for CEO Ferran Soriano to block the transfer then.

An Absence That Spoke Volumes

Those who watched City's Community Shield defeat to Arsenal a few weeks ago — a 3-0 loss in Cardiff — will have noticed Savinho was not on the trip. Nor did he feature in Sunday's comeback 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the opening Premier League fixture of the 2026/27 season. The writing was on the wall.

"I'd like to thank everyone at Manchester City. My teammates, the staff, the fans… all of them were brilliant with me. I am a better player and better person having spent time at City."

Savinho was effusive in his farewell, describing his time at the club as an honour and expressing gratitude for the support he received. He specifically referenced the FA Cup and Carabao Cup triumphs last season as moments he will treasure.

Sporting director Hugo Viana echoed those sentiments, noting that Savinho arrived in Manchester as a 20-year-old with limited senior experience and departs as a double cup winner with plenty of Premier League and Champions League appearances behind him.

Reinforcements on the Horizon

City's attacking ranks are thinning. Omar Marmoush is expected to follow Savinho to Tottenham on an initial season-long loan in the coming days, leaving the Blues needing arguably two attacking signings before the September 1 transfer deadline.

There is movement on that front. Personal terms have been agreed with Palmeiras' Allan Elias, viewed as a like-for-like replacement for the departed winger.

The immediate picture is complicated by Jeremy Doku's calf injury, sustained against Arsenal in Wales, which will sideline him for a few weeks. Antoine Semenyo started on the left wing against Bournemouth with Phil Foden on the right, and it was late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol that spared Enzo Maresca an awkward opening-day result.

Viana's parting words were gracious: everyone at City wishes Savinho the very best on his move to Spurs. The club have banked a significant fee for a player who wanted out — now the work begins on spending it wisely.

The paperwork is moving and the noises from both sides suggest this one is done in all but name. City have agreed a deal with Palmeiras for winger Allan, with Fabrizio Romano's familiar “here we go” attached to what has become a straightforward pursuit.

The fee is €40m (£34m) plus add-ons for the 22-year-old, who has emerged as the club's preferred addition on the wing during the closing stages of the window. Documents are now being exchanged between the two clubs, which is usually the point where these things stop being speculation and start being an announcement waiting to happen.

City had already sorted personal terms with Allan and opened negotiations with Palmeiras, so this agreement represents the decisive breakthrough rather than the start of something. The Guardian have reported the £34m figure, and Reuters have confirmed an agreement for the Palmeiras player, so there is plenty of corroboration beyond the usual transfer chatter.

Allan came through the Palmeiras academy and has 96 senior appearances to his name, contributing nine goals and 12 assists according to Reuters. He is primarily used from the right but can operate more centrally, and he gives Maresca another left-footed option with the ability to carry the ball and attack defenders one-on-one.

The move comes as City reshape their attacking options following Savinho's expected departure to Tottenham, and Allan would give Maresca a different kind of threat on the flank. The transfer is not yet officially complete, but with the agreement in place, the remaining formalities look like a formality.

Manchester City's long-standing interest in Enzo Fernandez appears to be reaching its conclusion, with reports suggesting the club are finally ready to make their move.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that City are set to bid for the Chelsea midfielder, having completed the player sales needed to free up space in Enzo Maresca's squad. The funds are in place for what would be an expensive operation.

Romano also states that City have been in constant contact with Fernandez's camp, suggesting the groundwork has been laid for some time.

Chelsea, for their part, have set their own conditions. The London club will only consider selling Fernandez if they can improve their squad before the transfer window closes. That caveat, combined with the fact their self-imposed deadline to sell the Argentine passed two weeks ago, leaves the situation delicately poised.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, speaking after his side opened the 2026-27 Premier League season with a 3-2 win over Fulham, was typically guarded when asked about his midfielder's future.

"In football, I am not surprised by anything. We will see. My wish is that we know what will happen for the future but we will see this week."

Alonso's hope for clarity this week suggests a resolution may be imminent, one way or the other. For City, the pieces appear to be falling into place.

Enzo Maresca's first Premier League starting XI raised a few eyebrows, and not just because the season opened with a last-gasp win over Bournemouth. The boldest call was Marc Guehi in midfield, a role he filled magnificently, but the arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi changes the picture.

With Bouaddi in the building, the England man surely returns to the centre of defence. Ruben Dias, the captain, is not going anywhere, so the question becomes who partners him. For my money, the best pairing is Guehi and Josko Gvardiol, with O'Reilly bombing forward from left-back.

Right-back: a straight shootout

On the other flank, it is a straight choice between Matheus Nunes and Abdukodir Khusanov. Nunes offers control, but Khusanov gets my vote. He has the pace and aggression to handle the Premier League's quickest wide men.

Midfield: a new-look double pivot

The midfield has been stripped back. Bernardo Silva and Rodri have left, Tijjani Reijnders has moved on, and Nico Gonzalez looks likely to follow them out the door. That leaves Mateo Kovacic as an option, but going forward the likely pairing is Bouaddi alongside fellow new boy Elliot Anderson. It is a youthful, energetic base, and one that should give the back four some protection.

Attacking options

Further forward, the choices are more straightforward. Jeremy Doku on the left and Antoine Semenyo on the right are my picks, even though Phil Foden started on the right in the opener. The number 10 role, though, has to go to Rayan Cherki.

Cherki came off the bench against Bournemouth and grabbed two assists to win the game. On that evidence, he has to start.

Only two players pick themselves every week when fit: Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal and Erling Haaland up front. Everyone else is fighting for a place, but the bones of a strong side are there.

When Marc Guehi trotted out in midfield against Bournemouth, with Nico Gonzalez watching from the bench, it felt like a quiet confirmation of something many Blues supporters had already suspected. The Spaniard, signed with such fanfare in January 2025, was no longer part of the plan.

City won 2-1 on the day, but the bigger story was unfolding off the pitch. Gonzalez is now on the verge of a permanent move to Newcastle United, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that a £50 million package has been agreed between the clubs. The breakdown is £47 million up front, with a further £3 million in add-ons.

For a player who arrived as the answer to a midfield crisis, it is a swift and slightly sobering turnaround.

From January saviour to squad fringe

Gonzalez was brought in during the January 2025 window, when Pep Guardiola's squad was crying out for midfield cover. And for a while, it worked. He played really well in the Rodri role during the first half of last season, offering a calm presence in the middle of the park when the engine room was otherwise bare.

Then Rodri returned. Opportunities dried up. By the closing stages of the campaign, Gonzalez was not even making the matchday squad.

When Enzo Maresca arrived, there was a reasonable hope that the new manager might see things differently. A fresh set of eyes, a new system, a clean slate. Instead, the decision has been made to cash in.

The Bouaddi factor

There is also the small matter of Ayyoub Bouaddi. If Gonzalez had been getting minutes, City might not have been so eager to bring the Lille midfielder to the Etihad. The pursuit of Bouaddi suggests the club have already moved on, and selling Gonzalez helps make room for the next project.

It is a call that may not be universally popular. Gonzalez showed enough in those early months to suggest he could have been a useful squad piece. But football moves quickly, and City have clearly decided that £50 million for a player who could not force his way into the matchday squad is good business.

Newcastle get a player who, on his day, looks every inch a top-level midfielder. City get a healthy fee and a cleaner path for Bouaddi. Sometimes the right call is the one that raises eyebrows.

Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Kaden Braithwaite, Floyd Samba, and Ryan McAidoo will remain with the Manchester City first-team squad for the upcoming campaign. The announcement arrived as the Blues navigate a chaotic final week of the transfer window, with the manager openly acknowledging the need for reinforcements.

"They are going to stay with us," Maresca said of the academy trio. "And then we need 21, 22 players, around 20 players plus these three young, full of energy. We are happy!"

The timing feels significant. City have already parted ways with Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders this summer, while Savinho edges closer to an £85 million switch to Tottenham. The squad is suddenly thinner than anyone at the Etihad would have anticipated when the window opened.

Maresca, though, has seen enough from his younger charges to trust them. The trio were among several City Football Academy prospects taken on the pre-season tour of Hong Kong and South Korea, a trip designed to give senior stars extended rest following the FIFA World Cup in North America.

"They are working very good! Since day one, the attitude and behaviour has been very good," the former Chelsea and Leicester manager added. The 46-year-old has been impressed by what he has witnessed since returning to the club as Pep Guardiola's successor.

The optimism around the academy graduates sits against a backdrop of mounting urgency in the market. Lille and Manchester City have reached an agreement over Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the Moroccan international set to sign a five-year contract at the Etihad in a deal worth €95 million plus €5 million in add-ons. Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, AS Roma's Manu Kone, and Palmeiras' Allan Elias remain the other publicly known targets, with Elias viewed as a potential replacement for the outgoing Savinho.

Selling clubs will likely hold City to ransom given how late sporting director Hugo Viana has left the midfield rebuild. It is the department of Maresca's squad that has seen the most significant turnover since his appointment.

The Community Shield defeat to Arsenal offered a stark reminder of the work ahead. Mikel Arteta's side swept the Blues away in an early statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League. The response, it seems, will involve giving youth its head while the recruitment team scrambles to fill the gaps.

There is a quiet logic to Enzo Maresca's decision to keep Claudio Echeverri in his squad this season. After a loan spell that took him from Leverkusen to Girona and back, the Argentine finally appears to have found a manager willing to back him.

According to a report from Soy Del Millo, Maresca has taken a 'firm stance' on the 20-year-old, intending to give him minutes at the Etihad Stadium this term. That effectively rules out another loan move, at least for now.

It is a notable shift for a player who has spent much of his time since arriving from River Plate in January 2025 navigating the complexities of City's loan network. After starring in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Echeverri defied City's counsel over a loan to Girona and instead pushed for a move to Bayer Leverkusen. It did not go well. A frustrating first half of the season in Germany finally persuaded him to heed the club's instructions, and he joined Girona on a six-month loan in January.

Now back in Manchester, having completed that spell alongside Vitor Reis, Echeverri has evidently impressed Maresca during pre-season. The Italian has observed him closely and concluded that the youngster is worth a place in the squad.

A Midfield in Transition

The timing is no accident. City are in the market for at least two midfield additions following the departures of Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah. The club have also told Nico Gonzalez he is free to leave, despite the 24-year-old publicly stating his desire to stay, with Newcastle United evaluating a move before the September 1 deadline.

With Kevin De Bruyne having been allowed to leave at the end of the 2024/25 season, City arguably lacked goals from midfield last term. Echeverri, who can play on either wing, poses a threat from the middle of the park. Given the inflated prices being quoted by selling clubs in the final ten days of the window, there is merit in taking a leap of faith in the talented Argentine.

City next face Crystal Palace away on Friday night, having opened their Premier League campaign with a win over Bournemouth on Sunday. Whether Echeverri features remains to be seen, but Maresca's stance suggests he will get his chance sooner rather than later.

Manchester City are on the verge of adding another winger to their ranks, with a verbal agreement in place for Palmeiras' Allan. The deal, reported by Fabrizio Romano, will see City pay €40 million (£34.2 million) plus add-ons, and the necessary paperwork is already being exchanged between the clubs.

The move comes at a busy time for the Blues, marking their second signing of the week after completing a deal for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. It also fills a specific need: with Savinho heading to Tottenham, City are short of options on the right flank.

Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira has offered a compelling explanation for why City were so keen. Speaking after his side's win over Vasco da Gama, he described Allan as a complete winger, praising his work rate and his ability to do what most wide players cannot.

“These teams want players like Allan because he does what 90% of the wingers here can’t do: attack and defend along the flank for 90 minutes.”

Ferreira's point goes deeper than raw effort. He noted that European clubs don't simply buy players who attack, and Allan's versatility makes him a rare commodity.

“The Europeans don’t only buy players who attack. So when one appears who can defend along the flank all the time, play at right-back, play outside in a back three and come inside to combine, everyone wants players like that.”

For a side that has built its success on tactical flexibility, a winger who can tuck in as a full-back or slot into a back three is a useful piece. Allan may not be the flashiest name, but he appears to be exactly the type of player Maresca's system demands.

Whether he can adapt to the Premier League's pace remains to be seen, but the early signs are encouraging.

Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement with Palmeiras over the transfer of winger Allan Elias, with the 22-year-old expected to fly into England this week to complete the move.

The two clubs are currently exchanging the necessary documentation, and the Brazilian's arrival in Manchester is imminent. It represents another piece of business done quietly and efficiently, the way these things tend to happen at the Etihad these days.

Figures at the club have settled on a deal worth a fixed fee of €40 million plus add-ons. The Athletic's David Ornstein, however, reports the total package is €40 million, broken down as a €37.5 million fixed fee and a further €2.5 million in add-ons.

Either way, it is a substantial outlay for a player yet to prove himself in European football. But City have form for trusting their recruitment team's judgement on young South American talent, and Elias arrives with a reputation that has clearly convinced those who matter.

The winger will now undergo the formalities of his switch, with the paperwork being shuffled between São Paulo and Manchester as we speak. The hope is that everything is signed off before the week is out.

Figures at the Etihad Stadium have agreed on a deal for the Brazilian winger worth a fixed fee of €40 million plus add-ons, with various documentation being exchanged between the two clubs ahead of the winger's arrival in England this week.

There is, naturally, a slight discrepancy in the numbers being reported, but that is the nature of transfer window reporting. What is not in doubt is that City have identified their man and are moving quickly to get him secured.

Elias will add another option to a forward line that continues to evolve. Whether he is thrown straight into the first-team picture or given time to settle remains to be seen, but the intent behind the move is clear enough.

More to follow as the deal progresses.

The final days of the transfer window are shaping up to be anxious ones for Manchester City supporters, with reports emerging that Juventus have set their sights on Rayan Ait-Nouri. The Algerian defender, who arrived at the Etihad from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £36.3 million last summer, has been identified by the Serie A side as a potential late move.

According to reports, Juventus are keen to strengthen their left defensive flank, with Real Madrid's Alvaro Carreras also on their radar. Ait-Nouri is seen as a pivot point if their pursuit of other targets fails to progress before the deadline, which sits close to a week and a half away.

It's a situation that has City fans watching nervously, given the club's recent departures. Rodri was officially unveiled as a Barcelona player earlier this week after completing a £65.4 million switch to Camp Nou, leaving a gap in the middle of the park. Now, the prospect of losing a first-team left-back has added to the sense of unease.

Ait-Nouri's first season at City was a mixed affair. He made 28 appearances across all competitions, with 20 starts, contributing four assists, 21 interceptions, and 28 tackles won. Those numbers suggest a player who was finding his feet under Pep Guardiola, albeit without ever fully cementing a regular starting berth.

If he were to leave, City would be left with limited cover on the left side of defence. Nico O'Reilly and Josko Gvardiol are the only other prime candidates to fill in, with O'Reilly having started in an attacking central role during the Premier League opening weekend win over Bournemouth. It's a scenario that would test the squad's depth ahead of a long season.

With the deadline approaching, the coming days will reveal whether Juventus's interest translates into a formal bid. For now, City fans can only wait and hope that a key defensive option remains in blue.

Just one game into Enzo Maresca's reign and the attacking picture is already shifting. Tottenham are closing in on a remarkable double deal that could eventually be worth £135m to City, with Savinho and Omar Marmoush both heading for the exit.

The two moves are at different stages. Savinho's departure is considerably further advanced, with Spurs having agreed to pay an initial £75m for the Brazilian, plus up to £10m in bonuses. Around £5m of those add-ons are thought to be readily achievable.

If completed as expected, the deal would make Savinho City's record sale. Not bad for a winger whose time at the club has been brief.

Marmoush, meanwhile, is the subject of fresh reports suggesting a verbal agreement has been reached over an initial loan, with a conditional obligation to make the move permanent for £50m. The Egypt international has already agreed personal terms and is reportedly due for a medical.

Neither transfer has been formally announced by either club, and the full £135m figure is not guaranteed. Savinho's package includes performance-related bonuses, while the permanent element of Marmoush's proposed move depends on specified conditions being met.

The expected departures would represent a significant change to Maresca's attacking options after just one Premier League game in charge. City, though, are not standing still. They are working on a deal for Palmeiras winger Allan and have verbally agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old.

It is early days, but the shape of Maresca's squad is already starting to form. Whether Tottenham land both targets remains to be seen, but the direction of travel is clear.

Manchester City have made contact with Cody Gakpo's camp as they weigh up a surprise move for the Liverpool forward, a move that would throw a sizeable spanner into Tottenham's summer plans.

Enzo Maresca's side have reportedly approached the Dutch international directly, making their interest known to the player himself. Whether they follow that up with formal contact with Liverpool remains to be seen, but the very fact they have entered the frame complicates what had looked like a straightforward pursuit.

Tottenham have already seen an opening £60m offer rejected. They are preparing to go again, with no intention of abandoning the chase. Previous reports have suggested Liverpool value the 27-year-old at around £70m.

Spurs are not the only ones keeping close tabs. City are weighing up whether to open formal talks with Liverpool, with a view to improving squad depth and softening the blow of losing Savinho.

Gakpo's own situation is not straightforward. He struggled for consistency last season, like many of his Liverpool team-mates, though he finished the campaign with renewed confidence after scoring three times for the Netherlands at the World Cup. Should he leave Anfield, he wants to keep starting regularly in the Premier League — which is precisely why Tottenham's offer of a key role carries real appeal.

There is, however, a broader dynamic at play. The gravitational pull of playing under Pep Guardiola helped City land plenty of big names in recent years. The club does not quite wield that same influence now Maresca is in charge, and whether he can recreate even a fraction of that magic at the Etihad is an open question.

That uncertainty is part of why Spurs can still be considered frontrunners. Fabrizio Romano has insisted a deal for Gakpo remains very much alive, and the numbers involved are staggering. Having already agreed a £135m double deal with City for Savinho and Omar Marmoush, Tottenham's summer spending would rocket past £450m if Gakpo is added to the pile.

Roberto De Zerbi has identified the Dutchman as his third attacking signing. Whether City's late interest turns this into a genuine three-way scrap, or simply forces Spurs to pay a little more than they hoped, is the question that now hangs over the deal.

If AC Milan thought the chaos of a Manchester City rebuild might open a door for them, they had better think again. Ruben Dias is not going anywhere.

Sources have made it plain that the club have no intention of selling the Portuguese centre-back before the 1 September deadline. That stance has only hardened in recent days as Milan's interest became clear. The Italians fancy their chances; they are set to be disappointed.

“Enzo Maresca has already seen several experienced players depart from his squad so far this summer, and has already made it clear that Dias cannot head for the exit as well.”

Maresca has watched a significant chunk of his dressing room walk out the door this summer. Bernardo Silva and John Stones left upon the expiry of their contracts, and Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake have since been sold. James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri have all been moved on in recent weeks, while Savinho and Omar Marmoush are on the verge of joining Tottenham.

Amid all that upheaval, one thing is not up for discussion. Maresca has handed Dias the club captaincy for the 2026-27 campaign, and the 29-year-old responded by playing the full 90 minutes in Sunday's opening-day victory over Bournemouth. He is not a man being prepared for the exit.

City's position is simple. Dias is effectively untouchable. The only scenario in which he could be sold would be a truly irrefutable offer, and Milan do not have the financial muscle to produce one. Sources describe any potential deal as "complex," which is diplomatic code for "not happening."

The former Benfica man managed just 24 Premier League starts last term, a figure that might have encouraged Milan to test the waters. But Maresca is rebuilding around him, not without him.

The focus at the Etihad is instead on the other end of the pitch. With Rodri and Reijnders gone, City have drawn up a three-man midfield shortlist. Bouaddi, top of that list for much of the summer, is on the verge of completing his move. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Roma's Manu Kone are also targets, though whether they back up Bouaddi's arrival with a second addition remains to be seen.

The recent sales have freed up some spending power, even after the hefty Elliot Anderson deal earlier in the summer. But no amount of financial wriggle room will persuade City to part with their captain.

Milan can keep circling. The red line is drawn.

The picture around Nico Gonzalez's future at Manchester City has sharpened considerably. With the club willing to sell and Newcastle United closing in, the Spanish midfielder's time at the Etihad appears to be drawing to a close.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the two clubs have almost agreed on a deal that would see Gonzalez join Newcastle's rebuild. Talks with the player are reportedly ongoing, with the aim of sealing the move early this week.

Newcastle are eager to sign Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City.

Gonzalez, who arrived from FC Porto in January 2025, has spent 18 months at City. During that time, he showed his versatility by stepping into defensive midfield during Rodri's absence last season. Yet despite that contribution, the club have decided it would be better to sell him.

For his part, Gonzalez is said to be happy to stay and fight for his place. But with City willing to listen to offers and Newcastle pushing hard, the momentum appears to be towards a departure.

The situation was underlined before the weekend's win over Bournemouth, when Marc Guehi started in midfield ahead of the Croatian international. That selection, combined with the club's agreement with Lille to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi, suggests City are already planning for life without him.

There is a well-worn phrase about never rebuilding in the summer, but someone clearly forgot to pass it on to the corridors of power at the Etihad. With Pep Guardiola's departure still fresh, sporting director Hugo Viana has been tasked with assembling a squad for Enzo Maresca, and he has been doing so at a rate that has left even the most seasoned observers struggling to keep pace.

The scale of the overhaul was laid bare before Sunday's opening Premier League victory over Bournemouth. Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders have all departed, a quintet that represents the spine of the club's recent successes. That alone would constitute a demanding window. It is not the whole story.

The Exit Door Keeps Swinging

Savinho is expected to complete an £85 million switch to Tottenham in the coming hours, with Omar Marmoush reportedly set to join him in north London. Nico Gonzalez, meanwhile, has been told he is free to find a new employer, despite his public insistence that he wants to stay and fight for minutes under Maresca.

The departures are being matched by arrivals. James Trafford's Elland Road-record £40 million move to Leeds has been offset by the capture of Geronimo Rulli from Marseille, while Elliot Anderson has arrived as the headline midfield addition for a staggering £116 million.

Maresca's Measured Response

Criticism has followed the club for what some perceive as a lack of pragmatism in the market. Maresca, however, appears untroubled by the noise, offering a characteristically measured assessment of the situation during his press conference.

"I think it's a feeling for most clubs, not all clubs because some prefer to do the business at the beginning or at the end of the previous season," he said.

He pointed to the calendar as a mitigating factor, noting there are ten days remaining until the window closes and expressing hope that the club can complete the necessary business. He was equally candid about the reality of managing a squad in transition.

"It doesn't help that there are players that, for different reasons, want to leave - this is for sure. But we need to adapt, and also we don't want to keep players here that don't want to stay, for sure."

His stance on those who would rather be elsewhere is unambiguous. "He can go! Absolutely! Because if he's not happy, he's not going to perform in the right way!"

Business at the Death

Maresca dismissed concerns over the timing of the club's business, framing the late flurry as the norm rather than the exception. "Probably the normal thing in the transfer window is you have to wait until the last week, because all the clubs want to keep their players until the last week, and then sell for more money - it's normal."

There is substance behind the calm. Over the weekend, City finally agreed a €100 million package with Lille for Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has signed a five-year deal with the option of a further 12 months. Maresca is also believed to be pushing for the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, with the 25-year-old midfielder keen to reunite with his former Stamford Bridge manager.

Palmeiras' Allan Elias has been identified as a like-for-like replacement for the outgoing Savinho, while AS Roma's Manu Kone is another midfield target. The wish list is clear: at least two midfielders and a new winger before the September 1 deadline.

Whether all of that is achievable in the final stretch remains to be seen. Maresca, for his part, insists he is not worried. When the window shuts and the squad is settled, he says, things will feel different. For now, the only certainty is that the coming days will be busy.

Manchester City's pursuit of Enzo Fernandez has hit the kind of wall that usually requires a very large cheque to demolish. The message from Stamford Bridge, delivered via new boss Xabi Alonso, is simple: he's staying.

Alonso, preparing for his first competitive game in charge against Fulham on Monday night, was asked about the speculation that has linked his vice-captain with a move to the Etihad. His answer left little room for interpretation.

“Enzo is a Chelsea player. He's a top, top player,” Alonso said. “He's training really well since he started 10 days ago with the team, very integrated. We are happy with him and he's getting ready for Monday. I see him with a good attitude.”

The timing is awkward for all concerned. Fernandez was booed by his own supporters in Chelsea's final pre-season friendly last week, a reminder that not everyone at the club is convinced by the Argentina international's recent form. And yet, as the 25-year-old prepares to face Fulham, his manager's public backing could hardly be more emphatic.

For City, the numbers tell the story. Chelsea are understood to be holding firm on a valuation north of £120 million for a player who remains under contract until the summer of 2032. That is a long runway for the Blues to play with, and they are using every inch of it.

City have yet to make a formal offer to test Chelsea's resolve. Given the asking price, you can see why.

Midfield rebuild takes shape elsewhere

That is not to say the club are idle. Director of football Hugo Viana has closed a full agreement with Lille over a €100 million package for Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the Morocco international agreeing personal terms on a five-year contract at the Etihad. The 22-year-old Adam Wharton has been the subject of enquiries, only for Crystal Palace to make it clear he is not for sale. Palmeiras winger Allan Elias has also emerged as a wider target for Enzo Maresca.

The picture is complicated by outgoings. Savinho is set to join Tottenham for around £85 million, with Omar Marmoush in talks to follow him to north London. Newcastle are confident of landing Nico Gonzalez in the coming days. City are not just shopping; they are also selling.

Maresca, for his part, began the 2026/27 Premier League season with a narrow 2-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad. The Italian's first competitive outing as City manager brought three points, even if the performance was not exactly vintage.

Whether the next few weeks bring Fernandez to Manchester remains to be seen. But if Chelsea's stance is anything to go by, City might be better off spending that £120 million elsewhere. Bouaddi, presumably, will do for starters.

The long pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi appears to be reaching its conclusion. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Lille midfielder is due in Manchester today to undergo his medical and put pen to paper on a five-year deal. The fee, reported at €95 million plus €5 million in add-ons, represents a significant statement of intent from the club.

It is a substantial outlay for a player who is still only 18. But then, Bouaddi is not your average teenager. He burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old, and his breakout moment came on his 17th birthday in October 2024, when he inspired Lille to a 1-0 win over Real Madrid. That performance came against a midfield containing Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga — hardly a gentle introduction.

Moroccan football expert Amine el Amri, speaking to the BBC, was glowing in his assessment. He sees shades of Sergio Busquets in Bouaddi's game, a comparison that carries weight.

“He has the potential to be one of the best midfielders ever in the game, not just for Morocco, he has such talent but he has to keep his cool and his feet on the ground. You can’t be a star if you don’t work hard enough.”

El Amri elaborated on the Busquets comparison, noting that Bouaddi, at six foot one, is tall but not heavily built. “Normally you would get players with muscles in the number six or eight position,” he said. Instead, Bouaddi's game is built on composure. “What he does best is keep his cool when he has the ball and when he is pressing. He doesn’t commit a lot of fouls, which is what made Busquets a complete midfielder.”

That profile fits what City have been missing. Bouaddi can operate as a number six or an eight, is two-footed, and uses his long strides to dribble out of trouble. He has the size to cope with the Premier League's physical demands, and the elegance to evade pressure in tight areas.

The expectation is that Bouaddi will slot straight into City's midfield alongside Elliot Anderson, a pairing that could define the next era at the Etihad. But he is still only 18, so the burden of expectation should be tempered. The raw materials are there; the rest is up to him.

Omar Marmoush is on the verge of swapping the Etihad for north London, with a loan move to Tottenham that could well become permanent.

The Egyptian international is set to travel to London today to complete his medical, according to Fabrizio Romano. Tottenham have reached a verbal agreement to take Marmoush on loan for the 2026-27 season, with an obligation to buy if certain triggers are met. Should those conditions be satisfied, Spurs will pay £50 million.

It brings an end to a relatively brief stay in Manchester. Marmoush arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 and made a bright start, but things have unravelled since. A combination of injury and his participation at AFCON last season saw him slip down the pecking order, and he has spent much of his time viewed as nothing more than Erling Haaland's understudy.

Enzo Maresca put the possibility of Marmoush leaving firmly on the table during the club's preseason tour of Asia. The message was straightforward: the Egyptian wanted regular football, and that was not going to happen at City.

It is not hard to see why. There does not appear to be a role in Maresca's squad for Marmoush beyond deputising for Haaland. The wing is not an option, given the type of wide players the manager prefers, and the number ten role looks equally unlikely.

There is also the small matter of consistency. Marmoush can, on his day, look like a world-class operator. But at other times his first touch lets him down and he drifts completely out of matches. That hot-and-cold nature has made it difficult for him to stake a genuine claim.

So another player heads for the exit. Marmoush becomes the latest departure in a summer of change, and the chances are high that Tottenham will make the move permanent. Whether the Marmoush who turns up in north London is the one who dazzled in Frankfurt or the one who faded in Manchester will determine whether £50 million looks like a bargain or a gamble.