Manchester City are currently engaged in negotiations with Lille regarding the transfer of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The personal terms between the 18-year-old and the English club have been settled for some time, and both parties are now focusing on reaching a club-to-club agreement that will satisfy all sides.
At the same time, City appear to have put any active discussions with Barcelona over their captain Rodri on hold. The Spanish midfielder, who captains both club and country, received what City described as a "derisory" opening bid, reportedly in the region of £40 million – a figure the club feels does not reflect his true market value.
Rodri is expected to return to training on Friday after his post‑World Cup break. With just one year remaining on his contract, Manchester City are keen to persuade him to extend his stay, but they are also preparing contingency plans should he decide to move elsewhere. In addition to Bouaddi, the Etihad are scouting several other midfield options to bolster the squad ahead of the upcoming season. One name that has surfaced repeatedly is Chelsea's Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The Blues have placed a £120 million valuation on the 23‑year‑old, who previously worked under Enzo Maresca when Maresca was an assistant at Chelsea. City see Fernandez as a versatile, technically gifted player who could add depth and creativity to their midfield ranks. The club's transfer strategy also includes a watchful eye on potential departures. Nottingham Forest have shown interest in Tijjani Reijnders, a Dutch midfielder who arrived from AC Milan last summer for £46 million.
While City have not made any formal offers, they are aware of the growing curiosity surrounding his future. Meanwhile, veteran Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic is expected to honour the final year of his contract at the Etihad, providing experience and stability in the middle of the park. Young Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez has publicly expressed his desire to remain at Manchester City, but it remains uncertain whether his playing time will increase under Maresca's leadership. The manager has also hinted that forward Omar Marmoush will need to decide his own fate, drawing a parallel with James Trafford, who recently moved to Leeds United after seeking regular first‑team action.
Marmoush has voiced a clear ambition to earn more minutes, and Maresca has indicated that he is open to facilitating that ambition if it benefits both player and club. On the other side of the transfer market, Tottenham Hotspur's interest in forward Savinho has not yet resulted in any fresh contact from Manchester City. The striker has reportedly expressed a wish to leave for the North London side, but the club has not confirmed any negotiations at this stage. Looking inward, Brazilian youngster Vitor Reis is expected to stay at City for the upcoming campaign and compete for a place in the senior squad.
The 20‑year‑old impressed Maresca during the team's Far East pre‑season tour after spending the previous season on loan at sister club Girona. Reis was signed from Girona for just under £30 million eighteen months ago and is viewed as a promising talent with the potential to break into the first team.
The squad will also welcome back several key players later this week. Striker Erling Haaland, winger Jeremy Doku, French forward Rayan Cherki, as well as England internationals Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson, are all due to report back to training on Wednesday. Their return will provide the manager with a wealth of options across the attacking and defensive lines as he prepares for a demanding season. Overall, Manchester City are juggling multiple transfer threads – pursuing a young Moroccan prospect, monitoring a high‑profile Argentine midfielder, and managing the possible exits of several squad members.
The club's strategy appears to balance immediate reinforcement with long‑term planning, ensuring that they remain competitive on all fronts while also safeguarding the future development of their emerging talents.