IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis
Manchester City have several midfield options and are expected to sign two between now and the end of the window, GMS understands.
Man City have lost Rodri and Bernardo Silva to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively already this summer, while Tiijjani Reijnders has joined Saudi side Al-Qadsiah.
The Dutchman might not be the last midfield exit of the summer transfer window however, with Newcastle United in club-to-club talks with the eight-time Premier League champions over a deal to sign Nico Gonzalez.
Should the Spaniard join the aforementioned trio in leaving the Etihad, it would leave Enzo Maresca with Elliot Anderson, Mateo Kovacic, Nico O'Reilly and Matheus Nunes as his only specialist central midfield players, although the latter duo have often played as full-backs.
City are advancing in talks to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the 18-year-old excelling as a first-team regular with the Ligue 1 outfit, before shining for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.
The teenager may well be the first new midfielder through the door at the Etihad, but Maresca wants at least one more to boost his squad ahead of the September 1 deadline.
Man City Looking at Five Midfielders
REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
According to GMS sources, Man City are prepared to make a bid for Enzo Fernandez despite the 5pm deadline Chelsea set for a deal last Friday expiring.
The Blues were demanding £120m for the Argentina international at that point, and it remains to be seen what City would need to offer now to convince their Premier League rivals to sell at this late stage of the transfer window.
It's no secret that Maresca is a big fan of Fernandez, having already worked alongside him at Stamford Bridge previously. Speaking in 2025, the Italian boss said:
He behaved as a leader and he is doing top, fantastic. For sure Enzo has taken a step forward in that sense. He is showing how good a leader he is, how good he is on the ball, how good he is off the ball and we are delighted with him.
The 25-year-old isn't the only English top flight midfielder City are looking at in the final days of the window, with Fernandez's Argentine international teammate Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool also appreciated.
Meanwhile, they have also made an enquiry for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, as revealed on last week's episode of GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness podcast.
City also made an approach for another English midfielder last month in Bournemouth's Alex Scott, although the Cherries have so far successfully kept hold of the Three Lions international, having already turned down a £64m bid from Chelsea earlier this summer.
As they prepare to embark on their first-ever European campaign under new manager Marco Rose, the south coast outfit insist the 22-year-old is not for sale.
One newer name on City's list is Manu Kone of AS Roma, with the France international also linked with moves to Manchester United and Arsenal this summer.
Man City's five-man midfield shortlist:
Enzo Fernandez
Alexis Mac Allister
Adam Wharton
Alex Scott
Manu Kone
August 17
August 17