The start of the Premier League season is nearly here and transfer panic has already begun as Manchester City look to build a squad capable of challenging on all fronts.
The City squad has said goodbye to Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders over the last week, with Savinho to follow and Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Rico Lewis potentially following him. City are interested in 22-year-old Palmeiras winger Allan and have Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez as prime targets in midfield but time is running out as they look to complete their business.
Striker search if Marmoush goes
Savinho is on his way to Spurs for a club record fee and there is a confidence from Spurs that they can add Marmoush to that. Enzo Maresca has hardly been optimistic about the chances of keeping Marmoush for a while, so it feels like it will get done.
City have said this summer, as we have reported, that they want one in for every out and Maresca is also keen for that. The club want to back their new manager and leaving the squad smaller than it was under Guardiola would not be doing that - but time is running out.
Bouaddi and Fernandez latest
Ayyoub Bouaddi has been a deal that City have been relaxed about for most of the summer, yet they still haven't got a move over the line. It's hard to say why; obviously they haven't reached a full agreement with Lille but the inevitable next question is why haven't they done that and that is more difficult to answer. City will feel that there isn't a pressure on time given they are the only club in negotiations, but understandably fans are still frustrated.
Bouaddi is a deal that is expected to be done in the coming days and the next most likely after that is Enzo Fernandez. City actively distanced themselves from a move this summer, Chelsea set up a deadline that wasn't met but still the feeling is that City want the player, he wants the move, and Chelsea are up for selling at the right price. That figure of £120m is more than City want to pay but as the days tick away in the window Chelsea's position gets stronger.
There is interest in Adam Wharton but as far as I'm aware City hadn't been considering him as a potential option for this summer precisely because Palace were so clear about not selling him. That could change in the final days of the window, but still feels less likely than a move for Fernandez does.
Maresca backed by senior figures
Maresca has the backing of basically every senior figure at City. He was sounded out by Txiki Begiristain years ago, quickly won the respect and admiration of Al Mubarak, and spent the days before he officially started at the Etihad in Barcelona chewing the fat with Guardiola.
City are very proud of the fact that they have only had two managers in the last 13 years and are not known for sacking coaches, so they will give Maresca time. That is also because recruitment will have a big say on the season and that is not the coach's responsibility. This is only my personal opinion but I would be surprised if Maresca wasn't at least given two years to prove himself and to see out the overhaul of the squad.
I can't say I've heard much narrative about the young squad. What I would say is City need to sign experienced players to make up for the leadership and authority they have lost this summer. Maresca was crying out for senior players at Chelsea and must have thought he was getting some more established players when he took the City job.
Grealish likely to go
Grealish is in a good place, having finally overcome the injury that cut short his loan at Everton last year. Everton's CEO Angus Kinnear told the BBC this week that they are still monitoring his situation and they and other parties will have enjoyed seeing his performance in the Community Shield.
At this stage, it is still likely that Grealish goes but that depends on if City get an interested bidder. Anyone who is looking to take him either permanently or - more likely - on loan may leave it until the final days of the window though to try and get the best financial package; if no agreement can be reached, he will stay but that hasn't been the plan all summer.
Squad rebuild logic
City need to do more than most, but they have been intent on replacing any departures and the sales are less to do with SCR rules and more about giving Maresca the players that he wants. On top of the rebuild that has been in evidence since January 2025, with so many unhappy signings from the last two years decisions have been taken to move them on as well.
It means more work than City planned for, or wanted, but they have clearly taken the call that the best action is to rip the band-aid off rather than continue with so many players who weren't fully happy about being at City because they weren't convinced that City were happy to have them.
