Man City move to secure Rodri, eye Guardiola clarity
Everton want to keep Jack Grealish after his injury-hit loan, preferring a second loan or reduced fee over the £50m option. Man City will wait until season’s end to negotiate.
A combined Man City-Liverpool XI picked by transfer fees omits Erling Haaland, highlighting cost-based selection rather than form or impact.
Pep Guardiola hails Mohamed Salah as ‘one of the greatest’ before what could be City’s final meeting with him as a Liverpool player in the FA Cup, noting his goals and consistency against City.
City table a new contract with an ‘important’ salary for Rodri amid Real Madrid interest. If he rejects, City will demand a big fee. Decision rests with the midfielder and his family.
Newcastle target a £160,000-a-week Manchester City defender, with the ‘incredible’ player open to working under Eddie Howe as his Etihad future remains uncertain.
Predicted City XI vs Liverpool: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki. Dias a late call, Stones and Gvardiol out.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown, hailed by Markus Krösche as ‘one of the best full-backs in Europe’, is valued at €65-70m, with Manchester City among suitors alongside Arsenal and Liverpool.
England boss Thomas Tuchel says Phil Foden is ‘not guaranteed’ a 2026 World Cup spot, citing limited recent City minutes and subdued March displays, despite 13 goals and 8 assists this season.
City plan midfield reinforcements amid possible exits, monitoring Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali. MEN report they are likely to land one of the pair, with Rodri talks over a new deal expected.
Arne Slot says Salah has trained and is available to face Man City, while Alisson remains out. Fitness calls loom after midweek exertions, with minutes to be managed across the squad.
Bernardo Silva is expected to leave City on a free this summer. He prefers a move home but Benfica looks unlikely, while PSG retain historic interest and could offer top wages.
City seek clarity from Guardiola over next season, but have held no formal interviews. An early five-man shortlist includes ex-assistant Enzo Maresca, viewed as a leading candidate.
City and Chelsea have approached a key Liverpool player over a summer move, with the Reds at risk of losing him.
PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, is assessing options after reduced minutes. L’Équipe say he visited City’s facilities, denied by his camp. Aston Villa also keen.
