Man City firm up defence as Haaland shines
City will recall 18-year-old keeper Oliver Whatmuff from his new Stockport loan to cover pre-season, with James Trafford unavailable. He is set to join Maresca’s two-week Asia tour before returning to League One.
Left-back Tomas Galvez, 21, is set to join Go Ahead Eagles after a medical, following loans at LASK and SC Cambuur. Deal type and fee are undisclosed, and City’s left-back cover is unaffected.
Ex-City keeper Stefan Ortega, 33, is in talks with Hannover 96 for a No.1 role after leaving Nottingham Forest, according to Kicker.
Alfie Haaland says Erling is “very happy” at City but “anyone would want to play for Madrid”, keeping the door ajar while the striker shines with a Brazil-beating World Cup brace for Norway.
Spanish media question Real Madrid-bound Bernardo Silva after a subdued World Cup for Portugal, contrasting his pivotal Manchester City role with doubts over whether he remains a guaranteed starter.
Phil Foden took in Wimbledon’s Royal Box then the British Grand Prix with Jack Grealish. He returns to City training on 20 July under Enzo Maresca and is set to sign a new deal to 2030.
Academy midfielder Charlie Gray, 20, is close to a new City deal after his contract expired and could join Maresca’s pre-season tour before a possible Championship loan later in August.
City are finalising a deal to re-sign Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday for a package that could exceed £10m including add-ons, with a guaranteed £3m. The 20-year-old Northern Ireland No.1 is expected to be loaned to the Championship.
Maresca is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 with central overloads, an inverted full-back role for Nico O’Reilly, a Rodri-Anderson pairing, Haaland leading a direct wing unit, and a Trafford-Donnarumma decision in goal.
Pep Guardiola says Lamine Yamal is behind physically after injuries but has an “incredible” ability to handle pressure, adding Spain can thrive if Rodri and Pedri dictate with Yamal.
Enzo Maresca will assess Jack Grealish in pre-season after his Everton loan, offering a lifeline. City could still sell if a strong bid arrives.
City’s midfield focus is Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, with options to loan him back or keep him, according to reports. Links to Alex Scott exist but look unlikely given Bournemouth’s stance.
With Ake moving to Fenerbahce and Stones departing, City have rejected enquiries from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea for Ruben Dias, who is viewed as Enzo Maresca’s defensive leader amid competition from Gvardiol and others.
Erling Haaland hits seven in four at the World Cup and fires Norway past Brazil 2-1 with a late brace at MetLife Stadium, overpowering Gabriel before drilling a 20-yard winner to reach the quarter-finals.
Derby are in advanced talks to take City prospect Divin Mubama on a season-long loan, with new assistant Ben Wilkinson a key driver. The move targets guaranteed Championship minutes to accelerate his development.
A leak shows City’s 2026-27 away shirt in black with an embossed worker bee pattern, a nod to Manchester’s symbol.
Jurgen Klopp is targeting Pepijn Lijnders, who served on Pep Guardiola’s final Manchester City staff, as Germany assistant, reflecting City’s wider backroom reset under Maresca.
Round-up: City intend to keep Ruben Dias amid Ake’s exit and Stones’ departure, recall keeper Oliver Whatmuff for pre-season, while Haaland hits a World Cup brace against Brazil and remains “very happy” at City, says his father. Livescore
Eintracht Frankfurt will keep 22-year-old Nnamdi Collins despite links to Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool, says Frankfurter Rundschau.
England beat Mexico with 10 men to set up a Norway quarter-final. City’s James Trafford was unused, while Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and Elliot Anderson logged strong minutes and defensive numbers at the Azteca.
