---
title: "Man City news & talking points: £120m Fernandez deadline & midfield overhaul"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/08/13/man-city-news-talking-points-120m-fernandez-deadline-midfield-overhaul/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Man City News"
published: "2026-08-13T17:45:00Z"
modified: "2026-08-13T17:45:00Z"
---

# Man City news & talking points: £120m Fernandez deadline & midfield overhaul

**City’s summer transfer window is now moving at speed… ish. So is our Man City news thread.**

From midfield pursuits and impending deadline ultimatums to outgoing blockbusters and long-term contract extensions, here is your complete roundup of today’s top stories on [Read Man City](https://readmancity.com/).

### 1. Incoming transfer tracker & targets

- **Chelsea set £120m Friday deadline for Enzo Fernández** – Enzo Maresca has identified Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández as a primary target to reshape City’s central midfield engine room. Chelsea have now imposed a strict 5:00 PM BST deadline on Friday for City to meet their £120m net valuation if a deal is to materialise before the campaign gets underway.
- **Ayyoub Bouaddi deal enters final club stages –** City have reached an agreement on personal terms with 18-year-old Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi. Final club-to-club negotiations with the French outfit are progressing smoothly to structure a transfer package valued around €100m (£85m).
- **Gerónimo Rulli completes Etihad return** – City have officially sealed a £1.7m (€2m) deal with Marseille to bring Argentina international Gerónimo Rulli back to the Etihad Stadium. The 34-year-old goalkeeper arrives as direct understudy following James Trafford’s club-record £40 million departure to Leeds United.

### 2. Outgoings & squad news

- **Second Barcelona offer for Rodri turned down** – Barcelona have seen an improved second offer of around £55 million (€60m–€64m) rejected by City for Rodri. While City retain a strong position, negotiations remain open should Barcelona increase their bid further.
- **Al Qadsiah push to finalise Tijjani Reijnders transfer –** Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah are locked in advanced talks with City for Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders in a deal worth up to £51.3m (€60m) as City clear space for incoming central options.
- **Jérémy Doku commits long-term future until 2031 –** Jérémy Doku has officially put pen to paper on a long-term contract extension keeping him at the Etihad until 2031, becoming the fourth player this summer to commit long-term alongside Phil Foden, Joško Gvardiol, and Abdukodir Khusanov.