Ndala gone, Joel Ndala joins Cercle Brugge permanently
Joel Ndala has left City. The 20-year-old winger has signed for Cercle Brugge on a permanent deal (3). Ndala never broke into the first team but was highly rated coming through the academy. No fee has been disclosed.
Real Madrid have Rodri agreement, now the hard part
This one hurts. Real Madrid have a full agreement on personal terms with Rodri, and the midfielder has made the Bernabeu his top priority (Reddit 2). City want between €50m and €60m. Real Madrid want to pay less (Reddit 2). Jose Mourinho has also spoken directly to Rodri as Madrid push to close the deal (Reddit 2). BBC sources confirm Madrid's confidence in getting it done (1).
Rodri is irreplaceable. Losing him now, with the season about to start, would leave a hole no signing can fill.
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Bouaddi pursuit could keep Fernandez at Chelsea
City's interest in Ayyoub Bouaddi has a knock-on effect at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez was a potential exit candidate, but if City land Bouaddi instead, that route closes (5). The dominoes are all connected, Rodri to Madrid, Bouaddi to City, Fernandez stuck at Chelsea. It is early, but the pieces are moving.
Note: Bouaddi to City link cited via Chelsea-focused report (5).
Goalkeeper hunt: Rulli links surface from two directions
City are working on a deal for former Ajax goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, currently at Marseille (2) (4). The Argentine would come in as backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma (4). Fabrizio Romano confirms talks are underway (Reddit 1). A low-cost, experienced second choice who knows the position, sensible business if it gets done.
Fan reactions
The Rodri news has landed like a gut punch. Fans are already debating who wears the armband next season, Dias, Haaland, even Donnarumma getting a mention, with Rodri seen as captain only if he stays one more year (Reddit 3). The mood on the Rulli deal is calmer, more pragmatic. Read the Rodri thread on r/soccer.
