Manchester City are actively negotiating with Lille over the future of young Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18‑year‑old has already agreed personal terms with the English club, and both sides are now working to hammer out a transfer fee that satisfies Lille.
This interest comes as the Citizens continue to shape their midfield options for the upcoming season. At the same time, City appear to have paused any serious talks with Barcelona regarding their Spanish captain Rodri.
The club reportedly dismissed Barcelona's initial bid as far too low – estimates suggest the offer hovered around £40 million, a figure City consider insufficient for a player of Rodri’s calibre. Rodri is expected to re‑join the squad on Friday after his post‑World Cup break. With only one year left on his current contract, the club is keen to persuade him to extend his stay, but they are not rushing into negotiations until a more realistic offer arrives.
Sky Sports News has learned that Barcelona are reviewing their position and may put forward a revised proposal for the 30‑year‑old midfielder, but City remain cautious and are not committing to any deal at this stage. In addition to Bouaddi, Manchester City have identified a handful of other midfield targets to bolster the squad should further departures occur.
One name that has surfaced repeatedly is Chelsea’s Argentine playmaker Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea have placed a hefty price tag of roughly £120 million on the 23‑year‑old, reflecting his rising reputation in the Premier League.
Fernandez previously enjoyed a productive partnership with Enzo Maresca, the new City manager, during Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea, which could make the potential move smoother if the clubs can agree on terms. City’s transfer strategy also includes monitoring interest in several of their own players. Nottingham Forest have reportedly shown curiosity about Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch midfielder City signed from AC Milan for £46 million last summer. While Forest’s interest is noted, City have not yet received any formal offers.
Meanwhile, veteran 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. Nico González, another young midfielder, has publicly expressed a desire to remain at the club, though it remains uncertain whether his playing time will increase under Maresca’s tactical plans.
The club’s approach to forward Omar Marmoush mirrors the situation of goalkeeper James Trafford, who recently departed for Leeds United. City manager Maresca has indicated that Marmoush’s future will be decided based on his ambition for more regular minutes, and the manager has left the door open for the striker to earn a larger role this season.
On the other side of the transfer market, Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in the talented youngster Savinho has not yet materialised into concrete contact. The forward, who wishes to leave City for a move to London, remains in limbo as negotiations stall. Conversely, Brazilian youngster Vítor Reis is expected to stay at Manchester City for the current campaign, where he will compete for first‑team opportunities.
The 20‑year‑old impressed Maresca during the club’s pre‑season tour of the Far East after spending the previous season on loan at Girona, City’s Spanish affiliate. Reis joined Manchester City 18 months ago for just under £30 million and is now poised to make an impact under the new manager. In addition to these midfield and forward considerations, the squad will be reinforced by the return of several key players. Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, as well as England internationals Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson, are all set to report back to training on Wednesday, bolstering the team’s attacking and defensive options.
Overall, Manchester City’s transfer window narrative is one of careful planning and strategic targeting. While the club continues to pursue promising talent like Bouaddi and keep an eye on high‑profile options such as Fernandez, they are also managing outgoing interest and ensuring that existing players are given clear pathways. The upcoming weeks will likely see further developments as negotiations progress, offers are refined, and the manager shapes a squad capable of challenging on all fronts in the new season.