Enzo Maresca can now begin putting his stamp on Manchester City after being confirmed on Monday as Pep Guardiola’s successor.
The former Guardiola assistant steps into one of the most demanding roles in football, tasked with guiding City through a sizeable summer rebuild as they look to reclaim their place at the summit of the English game following two seasons of disappointment.
With one headline signing already in place to welcome the new manager, attention now turns to the players Maresca sees as central to his project — and those who may be moved on.
Enzo Maresca was confirmed as Manchester City’s new manager on Monday
A first major signal of ambition
City had spent several weeks in talks with Nottingham Forest over Elliot Anderson. As previously reported, the clubs had reached a broad understanding on the transfer fee, but discussions continued over the structure of payments, bonuses and their timing before a compromise was eventually agreed.
The £116million package makes Anderson the most expensive British footballer in history, surpassing Jude Bellingham’s 2023 move to Real Madrid. The England midfielder is also expected to earn up to £300,000 per week, matching the kind of overall terms handed to his new club and international team-mate Marc Guehi in January.
Although England are permitting players to undergo medicals and complete transfers during the World Cup, City are not expected to carry out their own media duties for the announcement until Anderson reaches Manchester after his required post-tournament break.
Whether any of the World Cup stars go to the pre-season tour of Asia, where Maresca will take the squad to Hong Kong and South Korea, depends on their country’s progression in North America.
Elliot Anderson will become the most expensive English footballer of all time when he joins City
But do we have an idea on what the Asia tour will look like?
Guardiola’s view on pre-season was that he’d rather players have lengthier rests, often granting longer than the stipulated three weeks, and Maresca’s attitude to that is not yet clear.
Given the tight turnaround, you’d imagine he will want as many of his new charges there as possible. City land back on August 10, six days before the Community Shield against champions Arsenal at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The timings of City’s trip dictates that any player who exits the World Cup before the quarter-final stage could be on the plane for the first leg of it and a friendly against Inter.
Abdukodir Khusanov certainly will be there, given Uzbekistan’s group-stage exit, but 18 more City stars made it through to the knockout rounds.
Abdukodir Khusanov (right) will be available for City’s pre-season tour after Uzbekistan finished bottom of their World Cup group
But 18 City players remain at the tournament, including England’s Nico O’Reilly (centre) and Marc Guehi (right)
Who else could leave?
How long have you got? Nathan Ake is one high-profile name expected to leave amid interest from the Premier League and abroad. Vitor Reis is set to go on tour after a loan spell at sister club Girona in which he impressed despite their relegation from La Liga.
It’s understood that £25m-rated Rico Lewis was mentioned in negotiations surrounding Anderson with Forest and they are still keeping an eye on his situation after getting close to signing the England international last summer. Lewis ultimately signed a new contract but found opportunities severely limited – just 11 Premier League appearances – and is one to watch over the coming weeks.
Tottenham will need to meet City’s valuation of Savinho, thought to be north of £60m, to land the Brazilian winger and appear to be concentrating early-summer efforts on Sandro Tonali at Newcastle United, who City themselves admire.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, Morocco’s breakout star at the World Cup, is one of interest. While the Lille midfielder is only 18, City have made serious checks on him, although further midfield movements on top of Anderson for players who can impact the team this season are likely dependent on outgoings.
Mateo Kovacic is considering his options and Omar Marmoush is in the same boat – leaving Maresca and director of football Hugo Viana with big decisions to make. They are thought to be open to listening to offers for Nico Gonzalez.
A Ruben Dias departure cannot be discounted, particularly a reunion with Bernardo Silva at Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid. Josko Gvardiol is signing a new contract after flirting with the idea of leaving the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old winger Mathys Detourbet – a France Under-20 international signed from sister club Troyes – is going straight out on loan to Monaco, with no clauses attached.
Nottingham Forest are interested in out-of-favour Rico Lewis, having come close to signing him last summer
Real Madrid are circling around Ruben Dias, who could reunite with Bernardo Silva in Spain
City are interested in Morocco’s breakout star Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Lille midfielder
What about Rodri’s future?
Daily Mail Sport can reveal that Rodri is set to undergo surgery on a mystery injury after Spain’s participation at the World Cup and will miss the start of the season.
It’s understood that rehabilitation will not be a long process but the news is hardly ideal for somebody who has struggled to maintain his fitness since his ACL injury almost two years ago.
Rodri will go under the knife whenever his World Cup is over, with Spain set to face Austria in the round of 32 on Thursday. City declined to comment.
The 30-year-old still has a contract offer on the table from City, although talks are not thought to be active as he enters the final 12 months of his contract. If the new deal remains unsigned on January 1, he will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs to join them for free next summer. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has had repeated interest from Real Madrid.
Rodri will undergo surgery on a mystery injury after Spain’s World Cup run ends
Rodri has a contract offer on the table but his current deal expires next summer and from January he will be able to agree a move to an overseas club for free
Any movement elsewhere?
The academy is undergoing a shake-up, with Elite Development Squad coach Ben Wilkinson’s departure for Derby County to be announced in the coming days.
Wilkinson enjoyed a hugely successful eight years in the academy setup and coached the likes of Lewis and Nico O’Reilly. His work with O’Reilly in particular has been lauded by club sources. The son of ex-Leeds boss Howard turned down chances to be a No 1 lower down the pyramid to take a role in John Eustace’s backroom staff and is set to be tasked with improving Derby in possession as they plot a return to the Premier League.
That has a knock-on effect elsewhere, with highly-regarded Under 18s boss Oliver Reiss stepping up to take charge of the EDS having won the league and Youth Cup double last season. A promotion for Reiss means that Lauris Coggin, who joined from West Ham in 2025 to be Wilkinson’s assistant, will become Under 18s coach.
Xavier Parker, an England international signed from West Ham, was featuring for the Under 18s at 15 and excels in an advanced midfield role. Manchester United are trying to poach him
Head of coaching Jan-Moritz Lichte is leaving, choosing to become assistant manager at Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga.
Daily Mail Sport also understands that rivals Manchester United are attempting to raid City’s academy for two 16-year-old talents.
Xavier Parker, an England international signed from West Ham, was featuring for the Under 18s at 15 and excels in an advanced midfield role. Liverpool have also kept tabs on Parker. Karim Cassim, another with England recognition, is one who United are looking to sign over the summer.
