- City have agreed a record-breaking deal for teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
- Maresca says more transfer movement is likely before next week’s deadline.
- Tottenham are closing in on two separate deals with City too.
City’s agreement for Ayyoub Bouaddi leads Monday’s news, while Tottenham are working on deals for Savinho and Omar Marmoush and Enzo Maresca has discussed life after Rodri.
City agree record-breaking Bouaddi transfer
City have reached an agreement with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi in a deal worth an initial €95m, with another €5m available through add-ons.
The 18-year-old is expected to sign a contract running until 2031, with the option of a further season.
If completed on those terms, Bouaddi will become the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history.
The Morocco international enhanced his reputation during this summer’s World Cup and was left out of Lille’s opening league match against Angers as the transfer moved towards completion.
A medical and official announcement are still required.
Maresca expects further business
Maresca refused to confirm the Bouaddi agreement immediately after Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, saying he would speak to the club following his press conference.
The City head coach did, however, suggest there could be more activity before the window closes.
“For sure something is going to happen,” he said when asked about the remaining days of the market.
Maresca also praised his side’s performance against Bournemouth, believing they deserved to win despite requiring two late goals.
He described the decision to use Marc Guéhi in midfield as a deliberate experiment rather than an emergency measure.
Tottenham work on £135m City double deal
Tottenham are closing in on separate moves for Savinho and Marmoush which could eventually be worth a combined £135m.
The full figure is dependent on add-ons and the conditions attached to the Marmoush deal.
City have accepted £75m plus £10m in bonuses for Savinho, who has been cleared to undergo a medical.
Marmoush is reportedly moving towards an initial loan containing a conditional £50m purchase mechanism. The exact conditions under which that clause would become permanent have not yet been established.
Therefore, the reported £135m Tottenham double deal should be viewed as the maximum possible value rather than guaranteed income.
Neither transfer has been announced by the clubs.
Every City transfer in one place
Bouaddi’s expected arrival and the possible Tottenham departures have been added to the updated Man City summer transfer tracker.
City have already signed Elliot Anderson, Jeremy Monga and Gerónimo Rulli, while Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, James Trafford, John Stones and Bernardo Silva have left.
Further movement remains possible. Nico Gonzalez has been told he can leave, City have agreed personal terms with Palmeiras winger Allan and Jack Grealish’s future remains unresolved.
Maresca sets new Rodri challenge
Replacing Rodri will involve more than simply signing another defensive midfielder.
Maresca pointed to City’s previous success in moving from David Silva to Kevin De Bruyne and from Fernandinho to Rodri.
“When they leave, you need to be good in recruiting the next one,” he told TNT Sports.
City have already signed Anderson and are now finalising the Bouaddi transfer, but Maresca believes the club must develop its next influential midfielder rather than attempt to find a direct copy of Rodri.
The same interview also covered Rayan Cherki’s frustration at being left out against Bournemouth. Cherki responded by creating both City goals after coming off the bench.
Enzo Fernandez interest remains
City are still being linked with Enzo Fernandez despite Chelsea’s insistence that the midfielder will not be sold cheaply.
Chelsea are understood to value the Argentina international at approximately £120m and had previously set a deadline for any deal.
That deadline has passed, but reports suggest City remain willing to consider a move for Fernandez as Maresca continues to reshape his midfield.
The valuation and Chelsea’s public reluctance to sell make this considerably more difficult than the Bouaddi agreement. There is currently no indication that a fee has been agreed.
Haaland’s new look gets Guardiola reaction
The lighter City story of the day concerned Erling Haaland’s latest change of hairstyle.
Haaland revealed his new look on social media following the opening-weekend victory over Bournemouth, prompting plenty of reaction from supporters.
Former City manager Pep Guardiola was among those responding to Haaland’s new haircut.
It was a reminder of the relationship between the pair following their four seasons together in Manchester, even if City now have rather more pressing matters to address before the transfer window closes.
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