Fresh insight has detailed Newcastle United's attempts to secure Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders during negotiations between the two clubs earlier this summer.
We need to talk about Phil Foden ahead of the 2026/27 season.
More Videos
Manchester City have long been known to be placing a firm focus on their midfield ranks to bolster the position for the start of the Enzo Maresca area, with the Italian replacing Pep Guardiola as the club's manager.
The summer got underway with a blockbuster move for Nottingham Forest and England international Elliot Anderson, finalising a move for the 23-year-old worth a guaranteed sum of £116 million without any add-ons - becoming City's new club record transfer.
However, despite widespread talk of further targets in the middle of the park and now the exits of Bernardo Silva and Rodri to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, Manchester City face the prospect of starting their 2026/27 Premier League campaign with depleted numbers.
That prospect coincides with Tijjani Reijnders' expected exit to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah and Newcastle United in talks with Manchester City over a potential deal for Nico Gonzalez - whom the Etihad Stadium side are open to selling.
Newcastle targeted Reijnders in player-plus-cash deal
Now, in a recent update from transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle United officials wanted to include Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders in a negotiation with their Etihad counterparts for Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali earlier this summer.
However, it is further reinforced that the central midfielder of St James' Park personally wanted to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer and link-up with Roberto De Zerbi in North London, as a transfer to the south of England materialised in a deal worth £100 million.
Sandro Tonali has revealed he knew Tottenham was his next club within minutes of speaking to them, offering his most detailed public account yet of a decision that saw him choose Spurs over Manchester City.cityxtra.co.ukSandro Tonali explains Tottenham transfer decision despite strong Manchester City interest
Sandro Tonali has revealed he knew Tottenham was his next club within minutes of speaking to them, offering his most detailed public account yet of a decision that saw him choose Spurs over Manchester City.
Who could Manchester City target in the remaining two weeks of the summer transfer window?
With Sandro Tonali now firmly off the table given his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer, Manchester City still have the funds necessary to recruit more than once in the centre of midfield during the final fortnight of the transfer window.
Many within the game are expected the first to be signed in the final two weeks to be Lille's Moroccan international sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the 18-year-old having already agreed personal terms on a move to City this summer.
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.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Breaks Silence on Ayyoub Bouaddi in Clear Man City Transfer Message to Hugo Viana
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.
There also remains firm interest from Enzo Maresca and Manchester City in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, although it remains to be seen whether club officials will step forward with a formal bid for the Argentina international - amid the West London side's desire to secure a fee in the region of £120 million for the 25-year-old.
From the side of Fernandez himself, some reports are already indicating that he is personally aiming to reunite with his former manager in Enzo Maresca in the north-west of England this summer.