Atletico on Sunday, season around the corner
Your final pre-season test is set. City face Atletico Madrid on Sunday in the last friendly before the real thing begins (6). Enzo Maresca gets one more chance to fine-tune his setup. The season opener is days away, and the transition into the post-Guardiola era is about to get real.
Rodri to Barcelona: £68m or nothing
City have named their price. Barcelona's opening bid for Rodri was rejected, and the club want £68m before any deal happens (5). Reports from Spain on Thursday claimed Rodri has already chosen Barcelona over Real Madrid (2). A Tier 1 source for Barcelona, Marta Ramon at RAC1, says a club-to-club agreement worth around €50m has been reached and Rodri is expected at training on August 12. That gap between the reported fee and City's demand is worth watching.
Enzo Fernandez on the radar
City are exploring a move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to Saturday's gossip round-up (8). Di Marzio also reports City are working on their midfield and have Fernandez in their sights. This one is early, but the interest is real.
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Forest want Reijnders
Tijjani Reijnders could be on the move. Nottingham Forest are plotting a summer move for the City midfielder, though one source called it a surprise given Forest already have Morgan Gibbs-White in that role (1). Reijnders is better as an attacking midfielder, which complicates the fit.
Matheus Nunes with a dig at Porto
City midfielder Matheus Nunes took a small swipe at Porto's new signing Inbeom Hwang during the Asia tour, saying Hwang would adapt better at Sporting. His words: "Se fosse para o Sporting, a adaptação seria melhor" (7). A little derby spice from your man.
Fan reactions
The mood is a mix of excitement and unease. The reported Rodri deal to Barcelona has fans split, with some trusting the Tier 1 source from RAC1 and others questioning the €50m figure against City's £68m asking price. Meanwhile, Geronimo Rulli's confirmed arrival on a two-year deal has been met with quiet approval. Read more on the Rodri transfer thread.
