Manchester City were left smarting after a humbling 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday. The club’s Italian manager Enzo Maresca was swift to play down the defeat. While this represented the opening competitive fixture of the campaign, numerous City players had only resumed training in the days leading up to the encounter. This resulted in a more disjointed display than they would have preferred against the Premier League holders.
Maresca made clear, irrespective of the outcome in Cardiff, that transfer business still requires completion before he would be satisfied. He stated that new signings should arrive as promptly as feasible since the Premier League commences in a week, and earlier integration would help them grasp the tactical approach more quickly.
The club already possessed clarity about areas requiring strengthening prior to the match. The result, whether favourable or not, would not alter their approach. They are well aware of what needs addressing and intend to complete business before the window shuts.
Not all transfer activity between now and the summer deadline of September 1 will involve arrivals. The club must also generate funds through player sales to finance new acquisitions. With this in mind, an examination of five potential deals City can finalise following the defeat to Arsenal has been conducted.
Regarding departures, Rodri appears certain to leave. The Golden Boot winner’s future always seemed uncertain after he declined to sign a contract extension at the Etihad Stadium when one was presented. Following two rejected bids from Barcelona, City accepted a £65.4m offer for the Spaniard on Sunday evening.
The transfer is progressing, and Rodri is expected in Barcelona on Monday evening for his medical examination. Tijjani Reijnders is also set to depart. The Dutch international only arrived at the club last summer, yet his tenure in Manchester appears close to ending.
During his press conference on Friday, Maresca essentially confirmed Reijnders would be leaving this summer. When questioned about the player, he explained that everyone trains daily and wants to play matches. When they do not feature, they struggle to comprehend why, and he can understand that after one season some players desire more opportunities. He described it as a normal situation and noted that persuading players who are already convinced is challenging. When the club, player, and manager all agree that moving on represents the best decision, they should go. Maresca indicated Reijnders’ circumstances mirrored James Trafford’s and affect several other players.
Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah appear poised to secure the 28-year-old’s signature, having overtaken Nottingham Forest who had previously shown interest. A £52m departure is expected to be announced shortly, concluding his brief stint at the club.
The situation regarding Savinho remains less straightforward. The Brazilian wide player was evidently displeased by limited opportunities last season, with Tottenham maintaining longstanding interest in the 22-year-old.
Savinho has subsequently featured prominently in pre-season fixtures but missed Thursday’s open training session. Maresca disclosed afterward that his absence stemmed from illness and that he would be assessed ahead of the Arsenal match.
He was not included in the Community Shield squad, and his future remains to be determined.
Regarding arrivals, Rodri’s potential departure coincides with City accelerating negotiations for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. The proposed move for the Morocco international appears unconnected to Rodri’s exit. Lille have previously demanded £85.6m for Bouaddi and would prefer the midfielder to return on loan for the upcoming season.
City are not enthusiastic about this arrangement and would insist on Bouaddi joining immediately, particularly given the magnitude of any fee required to secure his services. The gifted teenager is not the sole midfielder under consideration.
Enzo Fernandez continues to attract City’s interest despite the club missing Chelsea’s deadline to submit an offer for the midfielder. Reports indicated Chelsea had set a strict 5pm Friday deadline for any bids, without which the Argentina international would not be sold.
During his Friday press conference, Maresca was asked about Fernandez. The Italian declined to comment on the player specifically but, when pressed about concluding business that day, stated he did not anticipate any activity.
City’s interest persists, and with Fernandez subjected to whistles from sections of Chelsea’s support at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, further developments in this situation may emerge.