Manchester City are nearing an agreement to recruit Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, a move that could allow Rodri to complete a transfer to Barcelona. The 18-year-old midfielder has accepted personal terms, although City must still reach an agreement with Lille, who have placed a €100m (£85m) valuation on him.
New City manager Enzo Maresca intends to introduce the Morocco international directly into the senior squad. His team will play Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday before opening their Premier League season against Bournemouth on 23 August.
Barcelona remain optimistic about bringing Rodri to the club, but an improved proposal will be required after City turned down an opening offer of €45m last week. Selling Ferran Torres, who has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain, could provide the funds needed to complete the transfer. City increasingly expect the 30-year-old to depart as he enters the final year of his contract.
Should the Bouaddi transfer be finalised, he would form part of a reshaped midfield alongside Elliot Anderson, who joined from Nottingham Forest for £116m last month. The changes follow the loss of experienced midfielder Bernardo Silva.
Elsewhere, Manchester United are monitoring Leicester midfielder Louis Page. Arsenal are also pursuing the 18-year-old, but United believe they can secure his signature, with the player reportedly preferring a move to Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford has linked up with United at their training camp in County Kildare after taking time off following the World Cup. The 28-year-old England forward spent the previous season and a half on loan with Barcelona and Aston Villa after his relationship with a club executive and former head coach Ruben Amorim deteriorated. Those tensions have since eased, and Rashford is concentrating on working with current manager Michael Carrick, although a transfer before the window closes remains possible.
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
