Manchester City are expected to complete a series of transfers following their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday. Head coach Enzo Maresca stressed that new signings are needed regardless of the result, with the Premier League season starting in one week.
Maresca said: "Any new signing, the sooner they arrive the better because we are starting the Premier League in one week and if they start to work with us as soon as possible it's better that they can also understand the way we want to play." He added: "We knew already before the game of the things that we need to do. It's not because we lost the game, or even if we had won the game, to think differently. We are quite clear in what we need to do and for sure we are going to do something before the window closes."
Expected Exits
Rodri is set to leave City after the club accepted a £65.4m offer from Barcelona on Sunday evening. The midfielder is expected in Barcelona on Monday for a medical, following two rejected bids from the Spanish club.
Tijjani Reijnders is also close to departing. Maresca hinted at his exit on Friday, saying: "When they don’t play, they struggle to understand or they struggle to see the reason why and I can understand that after one season some of them would like to play a little bit more. It’s a normal situation." Al Qadsiah are set to complete a £52m deal for the Dutch international.
Savinho's future remains uncertain. The Brazilian winger was frustrated by playing time last season and missed open training on Thursday due to illness. He did not make the squad for the Community Shield.
Incomings on the Horizon
City are accelerating talks with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi, with a move independent of Rodri's departure. Lille have quoted £85.6m for the midfielder and want a loan back, but City insist on an immediate transfer.
Enzo Fernandez remains a target, despite City missing Chelsea's deadline for bids. Maresca refused to comment on the midfielder, but said: "I don't think we're going to do something today." Fernandez was booed by Chelsea fans on Saturday, leaving the door open for further developments.
