Manchester City Pursues Chelsea Stars Amid Transfer Buzz
Manchester City’s new era under Enzo Maresca is barely underway, but the Italian is already looking back to move forward.
The former Chelsea assistant is pushing to reunite with two of his most trusted players from Stamford Bridge, while Tottenham Hotspur circle Folarin Balogun in a deal that could reshape their attack and test Monaco’s resolve.
Maresca targets Chelsea duo
Maresca’s first City squad is still taking shape, and he has gone straight for a familiar heartbeat in midfield.
Enzo Fernández remains a primary target, with the Argentina international having already made it clear he is open to leaving Chelsea this summer. The problem is obvious and expensive. Chelsea want around £120 million, a fee that stands as the main obstacle to any agreement and underlines how keen they are to keep him.
The City manager’s gaze doesn’t stop there. According to Fabrizio Romano, Maresca is also keen on Chelsea winger Pedro Neto as a potential replacement for Savinho. City’s wide areas could be reshuffled again, and Neto’s profile fits the kind of direct, high-intensity winger Maresca has leaned on in the past.
The message from the Etihad is clear: if Chelsea’s stance softens, City are ready.
Spurs move on Balogun
Across north London, Tottenham are laying the groundwork for a move that could define their forward line for years.
French outlet L’Equipe reports that Spurs have opened discussions over a transfer for AS Monaco and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, with the deal potentially rising to around €60 million. Interest in the 25-year-old has simmered all summer, with clubs in England and Spain tracking him closely.
Newcastle United are the only other club specifically named in the report, but they are far from alone. Fabrizio Romano adds that Galatasaray and several Saudi Pro League sides have also made contact in recent days, sounding out Monaco’s position and the player’s intentions.
If Spurs push ahead, they will not get a clear run at him.
United offered Lewis-Skelly as reshuffle continues
Manchester United’s rebuild has taken an intriguing twist.
Arsenal have offered defender Myles Lewis-Skelly to United as they look to claw back some of the £75 million spent on Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimarães, according to The Guardian. Chelsea have also been informed of the 19-year-old’s availability, though it is not yet known whether they will act on it, with his valuation expected to sit around £45 million.
For United, Lewis Hall remains the primary left-back target. Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle is determined to keep the 21-year-old, especially after already losing Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon. Any movement on Lewis-Skelly may depend on how hard Newcastle dig in over Hall.
Al Nassr eye Maignan as Milan talks loom
In Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr are preparing for another high-profile move.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the club are interested in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, with questions growing over his long-term future at San Siro. A face-to-face meeting is planned between Maignan and Milan to clarify where both sides stand.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s club are looking for a new No. 1 after Bento’s departure. Whether the 31-year-old Maignan is willing to swap Serie A for the Saudi Pro League remains unknown, but the interest is real and the stakes are high.
Barcelona manoeuvre around Torres and Rodri
Barcelona’s summer is balancing on two major deals.
Ferran Torres has been given permission to stay away from the training ground while Barça negotiate his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, a source told ESPN. The forward was due back on Wednesday after three weeks off, having scored the winning goal in the World Cup final for Spain. Instead, his future is being thrashed out in offices, not on the pitch.
At the same time, Barça remain optimistic about landing Manchester City midfielder Rodri. A first bid of around €50 million was rejected last week, but talks continue. The Catalan club also plan to offer Marc Bernal an improved contract, as they try to secure both immediate quality and long-term depth in midfield.
Deals already over the line
Chelsea have moved quietly but decisively for defensive cover, completing the signing of Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria in a £16.3 million deal.
Crystal Palace have added attacking depth, bringing in Evann Guessand on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, with an option to make the transfer permanent.
Market undercurrent: Vlahovic, Lukaku, Mudryk and more
Beneath the headline moves, the market keeps churning.
Free agent striker Dusan Vlahovic has reached a verbal agreement with Besiktas, according to Florian Plettenberg, giving the Turkish club a potential marquee signing up front.
Fenerbahce have an agreement with Napoli for Romelu Lukaku on a deal worth over €6 million plus bonuses, reports Matteo Moretto, as the Belgian’s nomadic club journey looks set for another stop.
Tottenham’s recruitment drive doesn’t end with Balogun. They have also shown interest in Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini, says Nicolo Schira, signalling Ange Postecoglou’s desire to strengthen the spine of his side.
Manchester United are weighing up opening talks with Club Brugge over a possible £30 million move for Joaquin Seys, according to The Mirror, as they search for fresh solutions across the squad.
Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a deal in principle with Parma for a €35 million package to sign Zion Suzuki, with a view to immediately loaning him to Juventus, reports Fabrizio Romano. It is a classic PSG move: invest, then park the talent at a high level.
Borussia Dortmund are close to submitting an offer worth €50 million plus €5 million in add-ons for Köln winger Said El Mala, Plettenberg adds, with personal terms already agreed.
Roma, meanwhile, have reached a verbal agreement with Porto for a loan move for Rodrigo Mora worth around €7 million, including an option to buy that becomes mandatory under certain conditions, according to Sky Sports Italia.
Como refuse to let go of their pursuit of Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, with Moretto reporting that new contacts will be made soon.
Lazio are in negotiations with Inter Milan for Davide Frattesi on a loan with a conditional obligation to buy, Moretto adds, as they try to upgrade their midfield without blowing the budget.
Everton want to bring Kyle Walker back to the Premier League after Burnley’s relegation, reports The Sun, a move that would inject experience and pace into their back line.
Napoli are expected to step up efforts to sign Chelsea centre-back Benoit Badiashile, with talks underway over an initial loan, according to Romano. Juventus, for their part, are ready to increase their offer for Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi to €20 million and have proposed loaning Juan Cabal with an option to buy, says Schira.
Mykhaylo Mudryk’s next step is also in play. Chelsea are open to loan proposals, and while Strasbourg and several Italian clubs are interested, Romano reports that the winger’s preference is to stay in the Premier League.
Brentford are preparing a fresh move for West Ham United left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, with TEAMtalk reporting a package close to £40 million.
From Manchester to Milan, London to Istanbul, the pattern is unmistakable: big clubs are reshaping cores, not just topping up squads. The question now is which of these ambitious moves actually lands before the window slams shut.
