Maresca Targets Chelsea Players for Manchester City Rebuild

Manchester City’s new era under Enzo Maresca is barely underway, but the Italian is already looking back to move forward.

The former Chelsea assistant wants to reunite with two of the players he trusted most at Stamford Bridge, while Tottenham Hotspur circle a major deal for USMNT striker Folarin Balogun in what could become one of the window’s defining moves.

Maresca targets Chelsea spine for City rebuild

Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge at Manchester City is starting with a bold wish list. At the top of it: Enzo Fernández.

The Argentina midfielder has made no secret of his openness to leaving Chelsea this summer, and Maresca is pushing to bring him to the Etihad. The problem is obvious and expensive. Chelsea are said to want around £120 million, a fee that stands as the major obstacle to any agreement and underlines their desire to keep him.

Maresca’s gaze doesn’t stop in midfield. He also wants Chelsea winger Pedro Neto as a potential replacement for Savinho, according to Fabrizio Romano. City’s wide areas could be reshaped again, and Maresca is clearly intent on building with familiar pieces he already trusts.

Spurs move on Balogun as €60m talks loom

Across north London, Tottenham are moving into position.

L’Equipe reports that Spurs have laid the groundwork for talks with AS Monaco over Folarin Balogun, with a deal potentially worth around €60 million. The 25-year-old USMNT forward has drawn steady interest all summer from both England and Spain, but Tottenham are now pushing to turn monitoring into negotiations.

Newcastle United are named as the only other club specifically in the French report, yet the queue is longer. Fabrizio Romano adds that Galatasaray and several Saudi Pro League sides have also made contact about Balogun in recent days. The market around him is heating up, and Tottenham are trying to strike before it boils over.

Arsenal offer Lewis-Skelly as United weigh options

Arsenal’s own summer balancing act has led to a surprising name being offered around: Myles Lewis-Skelly.

According to The Guardian, the 19-year-old defender has been proposed to Manchester United as the Gunners look to claw back some of the £75 million they spent on Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimarães. Chelsea have also been informed of Lewis-Skelly’s availability, though there is no indication yet that they will move. His value is expected to sit at around £45 million.

For United, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall remains the primary left-back target. New manager Matthias Jaissle, however, is determined to keep the 21-year-old, having already seen Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon depart. United’s search on the left continues, but Newcastle’s resistance is hardening.

Al Nassr eye Maignan as Milan talks loom

In Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr are preparing their next big move.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Riyadh club are interested in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, with question marks growing over his future at San Siro. A face-to-face meeting is expected between Maignan and Milan to clarify positions on both sides.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s club are searching for a new No. 1 to replace Bento, and Maignan sits high on their list. Whether the 31-year-old is willing to swap Serie A for the Saudi Pro League remains unknown, but the intent from Al Nassr is clear.

Barcelona move Ferran closer to PSG exit

Barcelona, meanwhile, are clearing the runway for a major outgoing.

A source has told ESPN that Ferran Torres has been granted permission to stay away from the training ground while Barça negotiate his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. The forward was due back on Wednesday after three weeks off, having scored the winning goal in the World Cup final for Spain.

His absence from training underlines how advanced talks have become. Barcelona are managing the final details while PSG prepare to add another high-profile attacker.

Barça still pushing for Rodri, Bernal renewal

Barcelona’s midfield plans remain just as aggressive.

ESPN sources say the club are still optimistic about signing Manchester City midfielder Rodri despite seeing an opening bid of around €50 million rejected last week. Negotiations with City are ongoing as Barça test the limits of what it would take to prise him away.

At the same time, they intend to offer Marc Bernal an improved contract, a clear signal that while they chase established stars, they also want to lock down their next generation.

Deals done

Chelsea have already moved on one front, completing the signing of Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria in a £16.3 million transfer.

Crystal Palace have secured Evann Guessand on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, with an option to make the move permanent. Quiet business, but potentially shrewd.

Europe’s market carousel keeps spinning

Beyond the headline pursuits, the rest of Europe is busy stitching together its own storylines:

• Free agent striker Dusan Vlahovic has a verbal agreement in place with Besiktas.
• Fenerbahce have reached an agreement with Napoli for Romelu Lukaku on a deal worth over €6 million plus bonuses.
• Tottenham have registered interest in Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini.
• Manchester United are considering opening talks with Club Brugge over a potential £30 million move for Joaquin Seys.
• Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a deal in principle with Parma for a €35 million package to sign Zion Suzuki, with plans to loan him immediately to Juventus.
• Borussia Dortmund are close to sending a €50 million offer plus €5 million in add-ons for Koln winger Said El Mala, who has already agreed personal terms.
• Roma have reached a verbal agreement with Porto over a loan for Rodrigo Mora worth around €7 million, including an option that becomes mandatory under certain conditions.
• Como remain determined to sign Fiorentina striker Moise Kean and will renew contacts soon.
• Lazio are negotiating with Inter Milan for Davide Frattesi on a loan with a conditional obligation to buy.
• Everton want to bring Kyle Walker back to the Premier League after his relegation with Burnley.
• Napoli are expected to step up efforts to sign Chelsea centre-back Benoit Badiashile, with an initial loan under discussion.
• Juventus are ready to increase their bid for Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi to €20 million and have offered Juan Cabal on loan with an option to buy.
• With Chelsea open to loan offers for Mykhaylo Mudryk, the winger’s preference is a Premier League move despite interest from Strasbourg and clubs in Italy.
• Brentford are preparing a fresh proposal close to £40 million for West Ham left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.

From Maresca’s City rebuild to Spurs’ pursuit of Balogun and Barcelona’s high-wire act with PSG and City, the market is tightening. The money is on the table. The question now is who blinks first.