Manchester City are in talks with Watford over a loan for academy defender Stephen Mfuni, according to recent reports.
Marc Guehi has been one of Manchester City's best signings under their Abu Dhabi ownership
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The Blues have sanctioned a series of departures amongst the academy and first-team this summer, with midfielder Rodri joining Barcelona last week after passing a medical to put the final touches on the £65.4 million switch.
Tijjani Reijnders has also completed a move to Saudi side Al Qadsiah as City progress their revamp under new manager Enzo Maresca, who has succeeded Pep Guardiola in the Etihad Stadium dugout.
City were handed a brutal reminder of the gulf between themselves and Arsenal's Premier League winning side a few weeks ago, with Maresca handed a 3-0 defeat in the Community Shield in Cardiff.
Maresca has since secured his first competitive win as Manchester City manager against Bournemouth and could see new €100 million midfield signing Ayyoub Bouaddi feature in Friday night's Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Enzo Maresca has not ruled out more signings for Manchester City in the closing days of the transfer window.cityxtra.co.ukAnything Can Happen in the Transfer Window, Says Enzo Maresca on New Signings
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Watford in 'regular talks' with Manchester City for Mfuni loan
Stephen Mfuni starred on loan at Vicarage Road in the second half of the recent campaign, amassing 2,331 minutes of first-team action across 27 appearances for Watford to raise his stock and attract renewed interest from the club for another loan spell.
In a recent interview with BBC Three Counties Radio. Watford director of football Luke Dowling has revealed that the Hertfordshire outfit are in talks to re-sign the City academy star on loan for the 2026-27 season.
"Everyone who watched Watford play last year in the games when Mfuni, especially, played, it wouldn't surprise me with Man City losing Nathan Ake this year, if they kept him around," Dowling said.
City have bid farewell to Nathan Ake and John Stones this summer and Maresca is keen on integrating competent academy stars into the first-team setup from his first season at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that three academy players will form part of his first-team squad for the 2026/27 campaign.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Confirms Man City Academy Trio to Join 2026/27 First-Team Squad
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Dowling went on to highlight Mfuni's versatility, outlining why the Hornets are so keen to have Mfuni back. "He's left-footed like Ake, he can play left-back, he can play left centre-half, so that wouldn't surprise me at all," Dowling added.
"However, the club are in contact with Man City regularly so just wait and see. It's unfortunate with loans like that because we're never in control with them as they are not our players."
What is Maresca's outlook on the Man City academy?
Maresca has publicly expressed a desire to incorporate rising academy stars in the first-team under his stewardship, with Ryan McAidoo the likeliest among those who went on City's east Asia pre-season tour to step up to the senior squad.
Rico Lewis is also set to be given a new lease of life under the new Manchester City manager, who shares a strong relationship with the Italian tactician from their time working together during the Blues' historic 2022/23 treble winning season.
Speaking in his first interview as Manchester City manager, Enzo Maresca dropped a bold double hint regarding academy player usage and his tactical style of play.cityxtra.co.ukSpeaking in his first interview as Manchester City manager, Enzo Maresca dropped a bold double hint regarding academy player usage and his tactical style of play.
Enzo Maresca makes double hint on future of Man City including academy stars and playing style
Nico O'Reilly was voted Manchester City's 2025/26 Player of the Season and will be keen to kick on from a breakthrough 18 months under Guardiola, having also been named PFA Young Player of the Year for the previous campaign.
Phil Foden, the poster boy of the City Football Academy, is also gearing up to kick on from a disappointing few seasons in sky blue, having recently signed a long-term contract renewal.