Anderson and Monga in, four senior names out
The Maresca era has its first transfer window. Elliott Anderson arrives from Nottingham Forest as your record signing, and 15-year-old Jeremy Monga joins from Leicester (1). Vitor Reis and Claudio Echeverri return from loans at Girona and Leverkusen respectively, and both will be part of the first-team squad (1). Out go Akanji, Aké, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones, four players who defined the Guardiola years (1). That is a lot of dressing-room weight gone at once.
Rodri wins World Cup Golden Ball, Guardiola called it
Rodri was named best player of the 2026 World Cup after Spain's triumph, and he made sure everyone remembered who saw it coming. "Guardiola sabe muito! Guardiola sabe muito! Escute o que ele diz!", Guardiola knows a lot, listen to what he says (2). The former City manager predicted this years ago, and Rodri could not resist.
Rodri rejects new deal, Real Madrid circle
Rodri has turned down a contract renewal offer from City, and Real Madrid are preparing a move (7). Mick Brown, a former United scout, told Football Insider the club are expecting offers: "That interest from Real Madrid isn't going anywhere, and to be honest, I'm surprised they haven't made a move for him yet, but it now seems like they're prepared to wait" (3). Maresca does not want to sell (3).
Get the next Manchester City FC brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
City and Arsenal fight over Bouaddi
Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Lille midfielder who starred for Morocco at the World Cup, is wanted by both City and Arsenal (6). He is exactly the profile Maresca would want, young, press-resistant, and already tested on the biggest stage.
Reijnders stays, Galatasaray told no
Maresca has decided Tijjani Reijnders will get a clean slate this season (8). Galatasaray had him on their list, but the answer is no, he is staying (11).
Italy want Guardiola as national team boss
The Italian Football Federation has held talks with Pep Guardiola about becoming head coach of the national team (9) (10). The meetings took place in Barcelona, with Paolo Maldini involved in the approach (10).
Kevin Keegan, 1951–2026
Kevin Keegan died on Monday at 75 (5). He managed City from 2001 to 2005 and took the club back to the Premier League. Read Man City has a full tribute to his years at Maine Road and the promotion season that rebuilt the club's top-flight status (5).
Fan reactions
Supporters are grieving Kevin Keegan's passing, sharing memories of the promotion years and what he meant to the club. Rodri's Golden Ball has fans feeling proud and uneasy in equal measure, pride at a City player making Premier League history, nerves about what it means for his future. The question on everyone's mind: is he really going to leave? r/MCFC discussion
