Manchester City continue to negotiate with Lille over the future of 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The club has already settled personal terms with the young talent, and both sides are now working to hammer out a transfer fee that satisfies Lille and fits City’s budget. Bouaddi, who has been earmarked as a promising addition to Pep Guardiola's midfield, is expected to join the Premier League side once an agreement is reached. At the same time, the English champions have effectively put the speculation surrounding a possible return for former captain Rodri on hold.
After Barcelona reportedly tabled a modest opening bid of around £40 million, City officials deemed the offer insufficient and have not pursued further discussions. Rodri, who captains Spain and is due back at the Etihad on Friday after a post‑World Cup break, still has one year remaining on his contract, and the club hopes to persuade him to sign a new deal. In addition to Bouaddi, City have identified a number of other midfield options to bolster the squad ahead of the new season. One name that has surfaced repeatedly is Chelsea’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández.
The Blues have placed a valuation of roughly £120 million on the 23‑year‑old, who previously worked under City’s incoming manager Enzo Maresca during his time at Chelsea. Fernández’s blend of technical skill and tactical awareness makes him an attractive prospect for a side that is looking to refresh its midfield core.
City’s transfer strategy also includes monitoring the situation of several players who could be on the move. Nottingham Forest have shown interest in Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch midfielder who arrived from AC Milan for £46 million last summer.
While the English side is keen to secure his services, City have not yet received a formal bid. Meanwhile, veteran Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovačić appears set to see out the final year of his contract at the Etihad, providing experience and depth.
Young Spanish winger Nico González has publicly expressed a desire to remain at Manchester City, though it remains uncertain whether his playing time will increase under Maresca’s stewardship. The manager has also hinted that forward Omar Marmoush will need to decide his own future, drawing a parallel with goalkeeper James Trafford, who recently departed for Leeds United after limited opportunities. Marmoush, eager for regular minutes, has been told that the door remains open for him to earn a more prominent role this season.
There has been no recent contact regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s target, Brazilian youngster Savinho, who has reportedly expressed a wish to leave City for a move to North London. The club appears to be waiting for a concrete offer before taking any action. On the opposite side of the ledger, promising Brazilian talent Vitor Reis is expected to stay and compete for a place in the first‑team squad.
The 20‑year‑old impressed Maresca during the club’s Far East pre‑season tour after spending the previous campaign on loan at Girona, City’s sister club. Having joined Manchester City 18 months ago for just under £30 million, Reis is viewed as a long‑term prospect with the potential to become a regular contributor.
Other key players slated to return to training include striker Erling Haaland, winger Jeremy Doku, French forward Rayan Cherki, and England internationals Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson, all of whom are due back on Wednesday. Their presence will provide the squad with a blend of experience, pace, and creativity as the new campaign approaches. Overall, Manchester City’s transfer window appears to be a blend of strategic acquisitions and careful squad management.
While the club pushes to secure Bouaddi and keep an eye on Fernández, it also remains vigilant about potential departures and the development of its younger talents. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining how the squad shapes up for the challenges ahead, both domestically and in Europe.