Manchester City are currently engaged in negotiations with Lille over the future of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18‑year‑old has been on the club's radar for some time, and personal terms have reportedly been agreed upon while the two sides work toward a final transfer fee. At the same time, City appear to have shelved any active pursuit of Barcelona's Spanish captain Rodri after what they described as a token opening bid, rumored to be in the region of £40 million.
Rodri, who is due to report back to Manchester after his post‑World Cup break on Friday, still has one year remaining on his contract, and the club would prefer to see him sign an extension rather than entertain a low‑ball offer. Sky Sports News reports that Barcelona are now weighing a second, more realistic offer for the 30‑year‑old, but City have made it clear that they are not interested in re‑opening talks unless the terms are substantially improved.
In addition to Bouaddi, the English giants have identified a number of other midfield options to bolster the squad should further departures materialise. One name that has surfaced repeatedly is Chelsea's Argentine playmaker Enzo Fernández. The Blues have placed a valuation of around £120 million on the 22‑year‑old, who previously worked under City’s new head coach Enzo Maresca during his stint at Chelsea. Fernández’s technical ability and vision make him an attractive prospect for a side that values possession‑based football.
City’s transfer strategy also includes monitoring the situation of several players currently on the books. Nottingham Forest have shown interest in Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch midfielder who arrived from AC Milan for £46 million last summer. While the Forest bid is still in its early stages, Manchester City are aware of the potential move and are likely to weigh any offer against their own squad requirements.
Meanwhile, veteran Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovačić is expected to honour the final year of his contract at the Etihad, providing experience and depth in the centre of the park. Young Spanish midfielder Nico González has publicly expressed a desire to remain at the club, though it remains uncertain whether his playing time will increase under Maresca’s system. On the forward line, manager Enzo Maresca has hinted that Egyptian winger Omar Marmoush will need to make a decision about his future, drawing a parallel with goalkeeper James Trafford, who recently departed for Leeds United after limited opportunities.
Marmoush has voiced a wish for more regular minutes, and Maresca has left the door open for a potential increase in his role should the player prove his readiness. There has been no fresh communication regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s target, Brazilian youngster Savinho, who is eager to leave Manchester City for a move to North London. As of now, the club has not received a formal approach, and the player’s status remains unchanged. Conversely, Brazilian midfielder Vitor Reis is expected to stay at City for the upcoming season and compete for a place in the first‑team squad.
The 20‑year‑old impressed Maresca during the club’s Far‑East pre‑season tour after spending the previous campaign on loan at Girona, City’s sister club. Reis was signed for just under £30 million eighteen months ago and is seen as a promising talent with the potential to break through.
In addition to the midfield reshuffle, the club’s attacking stars are set to return soon. Norway’s prolific striker Erling Haaland, Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, French forward Rayan Cherki, as well as England internationals Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson, are all scheduled to report back to training on Wednesday. Their return will add depth and competition across all attacking positions, giving Maresca a variety of options as he implements his tactical vision.
Overall, Manchester City’s transfer window appears to be a blend of strategic acquisitions and careful management of existing assets. While the club pushes for a young, dynamic midfielder in Bouaddi and keeps an eye on high‑profile targets like Fernández, it also remains vigilant about potential exits for players such as Reijnders and Marmoush.
The balance between nurturing home‑grown talent like Vitor Reis and integrating proven internationals will be crucial as City aims to maintain its dominance domestically and pursue European glory. The upcoming weeks will reveal how these negotiations unfold and which players ultimately secure their future at the Etihad Stadium.