Manchester City are actively negotiating with Lille for the signature of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The club has already agreed personal terms with the 18‑year‑old, and both sides are now working to finalise a transfer fee that satisfies Lille. While the details remain under wraps, the deal appears to be moving forward as City continue to bolster their midfield options. At the same time, the Premier League giants have effectively put any negotiations with Barcelona for Rodri on hold.
The Spanish captain received what City described as a "derisory" opening bid, reportedly in the region of £40 million, which the club deemed far below the player's market value. Rodri, who is set to return to training after his post‑World Cup break on Friday, still has one year remaining on his current contract, and Manchester City are keen to secure a new deal to keep him at the Etihad for the foreseeable future. In addition to Bouaddi, City have identified several other midfield targets to prepare for potential departures. Among those names is Chelsea's Argentine playmaker Enzo Fernandez.
The Blues have placed a hefty £120 million valuation on the 22‑year‑old, but City see him as a viable summer acquisition. Fernandez previously enjoyed a strong working relationship with City's new manager, Enzo Maresca, during their time together at Chelsea, which could smooth the transition should a move materialise. The club's transfer strategy also involves monitoring interest in players they might be willing to let go.
Nottingham Forest have shown interest in Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch midfielder who arrived from AC Milan for £46 million last summer. Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Mateo Kovacic is expected to see out the final year of his contract at the Etihad, and Nico Gonzalez has publicly expressed a desire to remain at the club, although his playing time under Maresca remains uncertain.
City manager Enzo Maresca has also commented on the future of winger Omar Marmoush, likening his situation to that of goalkeeper James Trafford, who recently moved to Leeds United. Marmoush is eager for more regular minutes, and Maresca has indicated that he is open to facilitating a move that benefits both the player and the club. On the other hand, there has been no recent contact regarding Tottenham Hotspur's target Savinho, who is reportedly keen on leaving Manchester City for a switch to North London. Young Brazilian talent Vitor Reis is expected to stay and compete for first‑team opportunities this season.
The 20‑year‑old impressed Maresca during the club's Far East pre‑season tour after spending the previous campaign on loan at City’s sister club Girona. Reis was signed from Girona for just under £30 million eighteen months ago and is now poised to make a significant impact under the new manager.
Returning to the senior squad, striker Erling Haaland, winger Jeremy Doku, forward Rayan Cherki, as well as England internationals Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson, are all due back at Manchester City on Wednesday after their international duties. Their availability will be crucial as the club looks to maintain momentum in the Premier League and European competitions.
Overall, Manchester City appear to be in a busy transfer window, balancing the acquisition of promising young talent like Bouaddi and potentially Fernandez with the management of outgoing players and contract renewals. The club's approach reflects a desire to sustain a competitive squad while also planning for the long‑term future under the guidance of Enzo Maresma. The coming weeks will reveal how these negotiations unfold and which players ultimately don the sky blue jersey for the upcoming season.