Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has lifted the lid on the club’s ongoing pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi after Sunday’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.
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Manchester City were quite simply outclassed by the Premier League champions Arsenal in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon during the 2026 FA Community Shield, as a largely one-sided tie saw Riccardo Calafiori open the scoring for the Gunners inside the opening 25 seconds.
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard added a second and third goal respectively for Arsenal as Etihad Stadium manager Enzo Maresca and his coaching staff look to kick on from a disappointing afternoon in south Wales ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
Rodri did not travel with the Manchester City squad at the weekend and is now present in Barcelona as he works to complete a £65.4 million transfer to the Camp Nou club this week following an agreement between the clubs reached on Sunday.
We have it quite clear what we need to do, says Maresca
After Sunday’s hugely underwhelming performance against Arsenal, manager Enzo Maresca was adamant that Manchester City need to step up and make further plays in the ongoing summer transfer market ahead of the September 1 deadline.
The Italian tactician said, speaking during his post-match press conference at the Millennium Stadium, “We knew already before the game the things we need to do [in the transfer market].
"It's not because we lost or even if we won that we would think a different way. We have it quite clear what we need to do, and we're going to do some things before the transfer window closes.”
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has opened up on his side’s uninspiring performance in his first competitive game in charge of the Blues in a 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Talks Disappointing First Day at Man City as 3-0 Arsenal Defeat Poses Major Questions
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has opened up on his side’s uninspiring performance in his first competitive game in charge of the Blues in a 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.
Who will Man City sign before the window closes?
Having replaced Bernardo Silva - who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after the expiry of his Etihad Stadium contract - with Elliot Anderson for a club record £116 million earlier this summer, Manchester City have already begun revamping their midfield department.
But with Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri on the verge of joining Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah and La Liga champions FC Barcelona respectively, Manchester City will likely need two fresh signings in the middle of the park.
The Blues have been negotiating a deal with Ligue 1 side Lille for Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi for several weeks, intensifying their long-standing interest in the 18-year-old off the back of his starring role for his North African country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“He's still a Lille player, but any new signings, any new players, for sure the sooner they arrive it's better because we're going to start the Premier League in one week,” Maresca added on Bouaddi over the weekend.
He continued, “And if they start to work with us as soon as possible, it's better because they can also understand the way we want to play.”
Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana will also need a make a decision on whether the club can realistically spend north of £100 million to tempt Premier League rivals Chelsea into cashing in on Enzo Fernandez - who is understood to be keen on reuniting with Enzo Maresca at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City remain interested in signing Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea this summer, according to recent reports.cityxtra.co.ukManchester City remain interested in signing Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea this summer, according to recent reports.
Enzo Fernandez to Man City State of Play: Chelsea Stance, Enzo Maresca Interest, and Where a Deal Stands