Manchester City are actively negotiating with Lille over the future of promising Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The club has already agreed on personal terms with the 18‑year‑old, and the two sides are now working to hammer out a transfer fee that satisfies both parties.
While City’s attention remains fixed on securing Bouaddi, their interest in other midfield options is also evident. Recent reports suggest that the club has placed Chelsea’s Argentine playmaker Enzo Fernandez on their summer watch list. Fernandez, who commands a valuation of around £120 million, previously enjoyed a productive partnership with City’s incoming manager Enzo Maresca during his spell at Chelsea, making him a familiar and attractive prospect for the new regime.
In contrast, talks with Barcelona regarding a potential move for Spanish captain Rodri appear to have stalled. City reportedly dismissed Barcelona’s opening bid—estimated at roughly £40 million—as far too low for a player of Rodri’s stature. The 30‑year‑old is set to return to training on Friday after his post‑World Cup break, and with just one year remaining on his contract, the club is keen to persuade him to sign an extension before any transfer negotiations gain momentum.
The situation at the Etihad is further complicated by a number of outgoing possibilities. Nottingham Forest have shown interest in Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch midfielder City acquired from AC Milan for £46 million last summer.
Although City have not yet received a formal offer, the interest indicates that the club may be prepared to trim the squad if the right price emerges. Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Mateo Kovačić is expected to see out the final year of his contract at City, and there are no immediate plans to move him on. Nico González, another young midfielder, has publicly expressed his desire to remain at the club, though it remains uncertain whether his playing time will increase under Maresca’s tactical setup.
Omar Marmoush’s future also hangs in the balance. City’s manager has likened Marmoush’s situation to that of James Trafford, who recently departed for Leeds United after seeking regular first‑team action.
Marmoush, who is eager for more minutes on the pitch, has been given an open invitation by Maresca to fight for a larger role this season. Another name that has surfaced in transfer chatter is Savinho, a Tottenham target who reportedly wishes to leave City for a move to the North London club.
As of now, no fresh contact has been made regarding his potential departure. On the brighter side, Vitor Reis is expected to stay at Manchester City for the upcoming campaign and compete for a place in the senior squad. The 20‑year‑old Brazilian impressed Maresca during the club’s Far‑East tour after spending the previous season on loan at City’s sister club Girona.
He arrived in Manchester 18 months ago for just under £30 million and appears poised to make a push for more involvement. In addition to the midfield reshuffle, several high‑profile players are set to return to training this week. The likes of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and England internationals Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson are all due back at the Etihad on Wednesday, bolstering the squad’s attacking options and defensive depth.
Overall, Manchester City’s transfer strategy this summer appears to be a blend of securing emerging talent like Bouaddi, re‑evaluating established stars such as Rodri, and keeping an eye on proven midfielders such as Enzo Fernandez. The club’s willingness to negotiate on both incoming and outgoing fronts suggests a flexible approach aimed at maintaining a competitive squad while also managing the financial implications of high‑value contracts.
With Maresca now at the helm, the upcoming weeks will be crucial in shaping the roster that will compete on multiple fronts in the forthcoming season.