Maresca: Rodri back next week
Enzo Maresca expects Rodri to return with City next week (1) (4). "At the moment, yes," the new manager said when asked if the Ballon d'Or winner stays. The statement lands in the middle of a tug-of-war. Barcelona had a €45m (£38.5m) bid rejected this week, and Real Madrid are circling too (2) (4) (6).
Mac Allister on the radar
City have made contact with Alexis Mac Allister (3). The Argentinian midfielder is being looked at as the market shifts around Rodri. Real Madrid had also tracked Mac Allister but are running out of options (5). No bid yet, just early talks.
Fan reactions
Supporters are split. Some point to reports of a Barcelona deal being close, while others lean on Maresca's public confidence that Rodri stays. The Enzo Fernández to City rumour has also caught attention, a reunion with Maresca at a reported £116m price tag has fans debating whether the club should go near that number. See the discussion here.
