Manchester City are actively negotiating with Lille over the future of 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 agreement that satisfies all parties involved. At the same time, the club appears to have put any ongoing discussions with Barcelona regarding Rodri on hold.
City officials felt that Barcelona's opening bid – reportedly in the region of £40 million – was far below what they consider a fair valuation for the Spanish captain. Rodri is set to return to training on Friday after his break following the World Cup, and with just one year remaining on his current contract, Manchester City are keen to persuade him to sign a new deal. Sky Sports reports that Barcelona are still formulating a revised offer for the 30‑year‑old midfielder, but City’s focus remains on securing the youngster from Lille and exploring other midfield options to bolster their squad. In addition to Bouaddi, Manchester City have identified several other midfield targets that could be pursued if further departures materialise.
Among those is Chelsea’s Argentine playmaker Enzo Fernández. The Blues have placed a £120 million price tag on the 22‑year‑old, who previously worked under City’s incoming manager Enzo Maresca during his stint at Chelsea.
Fernández’s experience in a top‑flight environment and his technical abilities make him an intriguing prospect for the Premier League champions. The club’s transfer strategy also involves monitoring potential exits. Nottingham Forest have shown interest in Tijjani Reijnders, a Dutch midfielder acquired from AC Milan for £46 million last summer.
While City have not made any official statements, they are aware of the speculation surrounding his future. Mateo Kovačić, who is in the final year of his contract, is expected to stay at the Etihad and fulfill his obligations before deciding on his next move.
Similarly, Nico González has publicly expressed a desire to remain at Manchester City, although it remains uncertain whether his playing time will increase under Maresca’s leadership. Manager Enzo Maresca has also addressed the situation of forward Omar Marmoush, likening his decision‑making process to that of James Trafford, who recently transferred to Leeds United. Marmoush is eager for more regular minutes, and Maresca has indicated that the club is open to facilitating a move if it benefits the player’s development.
There has been no recent contact regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s target Savinho, who has reportedly expressed a wish to leave Manchester City for a switch to North London. The club appears to be waiting for a concrete offer before taking any further steps.
On a more positive note, young Brazilian midfielder Vitor Reis is expected to stay at Manchester City for the upcoming season and compete for a place in the first‑team lineup. The 20‑year‑old impressed Maresca during the club’s pre‑season tour of the Far East after spending the previous campaign on loan at sister club Girona. City paid just under £30 million for Reis eighteen months ago, and his progress will be closely monitored as the new campaign unfolds. The club’s attacking line‑up also looks set to reconvene soon, with star striker Erling Haaland, winger Jeremy Doku, French prospect Rayan Cherki and England internationals Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson all due back at the Etihad on Wednesday.
Overall, Manchester City’s transfer window narrative is one of strategic planning and measured ambition. While the pursuit of Bouaddi reflects a desire to secure emerging talent, the club is also weighing the potential acquisition of established midfielders like Enzo Fernández.
Simultaneously, they are managing the expectations of several players whose futures remain undecided, ensuring that any departures are balanced by targeted arrivals. The upcoming weeks will reveal how these negotiations evolve and which moves ultimately shape City’s squad for the season ahead.