Enzo Maresca Outlines Man City Transfer Plans Amid Ayyoub Bouaddi Links

Enzo Maresca has officially stepped into the Manchester City dugout as Pep Guardiola’s replacement, taking charge of a major summer transition following the last two seasons where the club fell short, according to Daily Mail reporting.

Elliot Anderson Transfer and Record-Breaking Fee

Manchester City finalized a deal with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson after weeks of intense negotiations over bonuses and payment structures, according to Daily Mail. The agreement makes Anderson the most expensive British footballer of all time at £116m, surpassing Jude Bellingham’s 2023 move to Real Madrid. The midfielder is expected to earn up to £300,000 per week, matching the overall package given to Marc Guehi in January. Due to mandatory post-tournament rest periods following international duty, City will hold off on official in-house media announcements until Anderson arrives in Manchester.

Squad Overhaul and Potential Departures

Maresca faces immediate decisions regarding squad composition, with several high-profile names linked with exits from the Etihad Stadium, according to Daily Mail reporting. Nathan Ake is drawing interest from both Premier League clubs and foreign sides ahead of a likely departure. Rico Lewis, valued at £25m, remains a player to watch after featuring in just 11 Premier League matches last season; Forest tracked Lewis closely last summer and continues to monitor his situation. Meanwhile, Tottenham face a valuation north of £60m if they want to land Brazilian winger Savinho, though Spurs have concentrated their early-summer efforts on Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali.

Ayyoub Bouaddi Links and Midfield Scouting

Amid the squad restructuring, transfer links to Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi have intensified following his standout performances for Morocco at the World Cup, according to the London Evening Standard and Daily Mail. The 18-year-old midfielder caught the attention of major scouts with composed displays, notably against Brazil.

Pre-Season Tour and Upcoming Fixtures

City’s pre-season schedule in Asia—covering stops in Hong Kong and South Korea—will be heavily impacted by international player participation at the World Cup. Abdukodir Khusanov is guaranteed to feature on the tour following Uzbekistan’s group-stage exit, but 18 other City players advanced to the tournament knockout rounds, according to Daily Mail. The squad will return to England on August 10, setting up a clash against champions Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 16 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.