--- title: "Man City news & talking points: Ndiaye £80m move, Maresca hint & Palace test" canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/man-city-news-ndiaye-maresca-crystal-palace-august-28/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Gary Gowers" section: "Man City News" published: "2026-08-28T17:00:00Z" modified: "2026-09-22T18:50:44Z" --- # Man City news & talking points: Ndiaye £80m move, Maresca hint & Palace test **[Man City](https://readmancity.com/) return to Premier League action tonight, but there has been plenty happening before Enzo Maresca’s side take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.** The transfer window remains open for a few more days and City continue to be linked with late additions, while Maresca has offered another clue about what he wants from any remaining business. Then there is Palace. Marc Guéhi returns to Selhurst Park, Rayan Cherki has received extraordinary praise from the opposition manager, and City have the chance to make it two league wins from two. Here are Friday’s main City stories and talking points. ## City consider £80m Ndiaye move… City’s pursuit of Iliman Ndiaye gathered pace again on Friday. Reports suggest discussions have taken place and intermediaries have been involved as City consider an offer worth around £80m for the Everton attacker. Fabrizio Romano has also reported that City are working on the deal, although there has been **no formal offer** so far. Jack Grealish’s future provides another element to the story, with the City midfielder in talks over a possible return to Everton. [**Read more: Man City step up Iliman Ndiaye pursuit as £80m offer considered**](https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/man-city-iliman-ndiaye-everton-80m-offer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## Mac Allister offered as Fernández alternative… Alexis Mac Allister is another name to have entered the conversation. Intermediaries have reportedly offered City the opportunity to consider the Liverpool midfielder should their pursuit of Enzo Fernández prove too difficult. City have not made a bid for Mac Allister and Fernández remains their priority, so this one needs keeping in perspective. It does, though, offer another indication of the options being explored with the deadline approaching. [**Read more: Alexis Mac Allister offered to Man City as Enzo Fernández alternative**](https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/alexis-mac-allister-offered-man-city-enzo-fernandez/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## Maresca wants more leaders… Maresca has already named Rúben Dias and Erling Haaland as his captains, but there could be further additions to that group. The City boss says the club may yet add **“one or two more captains”** before the window closes. It was an interesting comment after a summer which has seen experienced figures Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones leave the club. City have invested heavily in young talent, including Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Maresca, though, clearly sees value in adding leadership as well as ability. [**Read more: Maresca reveals key quality he wants from final Man City signings**](https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/enzo-maresca-man-city-signings-captains-leadership/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## Guéhi returns to familiar surroundings… Marc Guéhi goes back to Selhurst Park tonight for the first time since leaving Palace in January. The unexpected question is where Maresca will use him. Guéhi started in midfield against Bournemouth last weekend and produced an excellent performance, scoring City’s equaliser before Joško Gvardiol grabbed the late winner. Maresca had already worked on the idea in training and has since confirmed that Guéhi remains an option in the middle. Bouaddi is now available, giving the manager another choice. Guéhi could return to central defence tonight, but his Bournemouth performance has given Maresca something to consider. [**Read more: Guéhi’s unexpected Man City role gives Maresca intriguing Palace decision**](https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/marc-guehi-midfield-man-city-crystal-palace-maresca/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## Palace boss has high praise for Cherki… Pierre Sage certainly hasn’t attempted to play down Rayan Cherki’s ability before the game. The Palace manager described the Frenchman as a **“genius”** before going even further with: **“Maybe God?”** Cherki made his mark from the bench against Bournemouth, setting up both City goals as Maresca’s side came from behind. Whether that is enough to earn him a place in the starting XI tonight remains to be seen. **Read more: ‘Maybe God?’ – Sage makes extraordinary Cherki claim before Palace clash** ## City turn their attention to Palace… For all the transfer talk, the immediate business is at Selhurst Park. City are looking to follow their opening league victory over Bournemouth with another three points. Kick-off is at **8pm BST**, with the match being shown live in the UK on Sky Sports. [**Our Crystal Palace v Man City guide has the team news, match details and TV information**](https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/crystal-palace-man-city-team-news-tv-channel-how-to-watch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). We’ve also looked back at [**the history of Crystal Palace v Man City and some of the fixture’s memorable meetings**](https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/crystal-palace-man-city-head-to-head-history-record/), while anyone visiting the ground for the first time can read our [**City supporter’s guide to Selhurst Park**](https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/crystal-palace-man-city-selhurst-park-away-fan-guide/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). City haven’t lost a Premier League game at Selhurst Park since April 2015. Keep that run going tonight, and Maresca will have six points from his opening two league games. After that, the transfer window can take over again. For updates on City throughout the season, take a look at our [**LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments**](https://dave.sport/live/premier-league-2026-2027-season-updates/) page.