Manchester City are now keen on hijacking Manchester United’s move for an “incredible” player, who is set to be available for £35m this summer, according to a report.

Man City's summer rebuild continues

Pep Guardiola has made major changes to his squad this summer, with the Man City boss looking to reclaim the Premier League crown from Liverpool, and Phil Foden believes the rebuild was necessary after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.

Foden said: “It is needed after last season, bringing in fresh legs and the new additions have done well. They have settled very quickly.

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“We can all see their quality from the Club World Cup and what they bring to the team. We have got a big squad at the moment but I think it is definitely needed. I’m looking forward to the season and linking up with players that I like to play with and enjoying it really.”

Related Bad news for Doku: Man City preparing £87m bid for "world class" forward

As Manchester City seek to reclaim the Premier League title, they are preparing an £87m bid to sign a “world class” attacker who’s better than Doku.

Posts ByBen Gray Aug 6, 2025

It is certainly true that Guardiola is blessed with a large squad, and having added Nico Gonzalez in the winter, before bringing in Tijjani Reijnders this summer, there are plenty of options in the middle of the park.

However, according to a report from Takvim, Man City are now keen on signing Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara, who is also being targeted by Man United, with the Red Devils even set to make a formal offer for his services in the coming days.

The Turkish club are reluctant to sanction Sara’s departure this summer, but they could be tempted if they receive an offer of €40m (£35m), amid widespread interest from the Premier League.

Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Aston Villa are also credited with an interest in the Brazilian, although United’s interest appears to be the most advanced, with an offer in the works.

"Incredible" Sara could flourish in the Premier League

The 26-year-old has experience in England, performing remarkably well for Norwich City in the 2023-24 campaign, picking up 13 goals and 12 assists in 46 Championship outings.

That season alone proved the maestro is more than ready to make the step-up to the Premier League, but he has since gone on to prove himself in Turkey too, amassing 11 league goal contributions last season as Galatasaray went on to win the title.

As such, Sara could flourish at the Etihad Stadium, although there are some doubts over whether he would be a necessary signing for Man City, given that Guardiola is already well-stocked in central midfield.

أعرب وليد صلاح الدين، مدير الكرة بالنادي الأهلي، عن سعادته بالفوز على الزمالك، بهدفين مقابل هدف، في الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقال وليد صلاح الدين، عبر قناة أون سبورت: “مبروك للنادي الأهلي، اللاعبون رجال، الظروف صعبة جدًا وكنا بحاجة إلى هذا الفوز، وحظ أوفر لنادي الزمالك”.

وواصل: “كل الذين قالوا إننا لن نشاهد مباراة جيدة نظرًا لمستوى الفريقين، خاب ظنهم، فهي مباراة تليق بالكرة المصرية، والجماهير استمتعت، مبروك لكل اللاعبين والمصابين ونتطلع لعودتهم”.

وتابع: “أقول لجماهير الأهلي إن الفريق هو الأقوى في إفريقيا، نريد الهدوء والثقة باللاعبين، نحن نسير في الطريق الصحيح، ولا تصدقوا 90% من الأخبار الكاذبة”.

طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | القمة 131.. الأهلي يحقق فوزًا مثيرًا على الزمالك في الدوري المصري

وأكمل: “لدينا مصادر رسمية، وأنا شخصيًا أصرح دائمًا، فلا تسعوا خلف الأخبار الكاذبة ويُقال إن زيزو جاء إلى المعسكر وجلس معي ومع عماد النحاس قبل مباراة الزمالك، كلام عارٍ عن الصحة، نحن فريق جيد ونتدرب بشكل جيد جدًا”.

وتابع: “أمامنا مباراة بعد ثلاثة أيام، إن شاء الله نفوز بها، ثم نخوض فترة التوقف بهدوء”.

وأردف: “في أول 10 دقائق لم نكن جيدين، لكن بعد ذلك امتلكنا الملعب بالكامل نادي الزمالك أتيحت له فرصتان في البداية، ثم أصبحت المباراة سجالًا، ثم أصبحنا أفضل بكثير وفي الشوط الثاني كان اللعب من جانبنا فقط ولم تصل أي كرة إلى الشناوي”.

وأشار: “هذه سمة الفرق الكبيرة، أنها تعود من التأخر وتحقق المكسب، حتى مع الغيابات، الأهلي فريق كبير ومبروك لجماهير الأهلي فرحتهم، والأهلي مهما وقع له شيء، لديه آلاف من المؤيدين”.

وأكمل: “ملف المدير الفني مع الكابتن الخطيب ولجنة التخطيط، لا يوجد فيه شيء جديد، هناك سير ذاتية تُعرض وقد تحدث نقاشات، لكن يوجد مدربين يعتذرون أو يختلفون على الأرقام، أو مدربين لا يريدون العمل في المنطقة العربية”.

وأتم: “لا بد أن نوجه الشكر لعماد النحاس على ما يقدمه مع الفريق، فهو يستحق التقدير والإشادة”.

England captain Heather Knight has become the latest player to agree terms with Somerset ahead of the launch of Tier 1 professional women’s county cricket next summer.Knight had previously represented Berkshire, having come through the Devon pathway, and captained Western Storm to two Kia Super League titles in the regional system. She was appointed to the Somerset board in an advisory role earlier this year.Her signing follows that of England spinner Charlie Dean and allrounder Danielle Gibson, a Western Storm team-mate of Knight’s, whose moves were announced earlier in the week. All three are centrally contracted to England, and will play for their county when international commitments allow.”Somerset is a club that holds a special place in my heart, so I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity,” Knight said. “The South West has played an integral role in my journey and it’s a privilege to be able to represent the region that means so much to me.”We have a genuine opportunity to create something special. This is the first Somerset women’s team of the professional era, and we have a duty to those who have gone before and laid the foundations to make sure that we are a team that competes on the field and inspires young people across the region. There is a special heritage surrounding the club and that is something that we will be taking very seriously.”The Cooper Associates County Ground is a special place to play, and I can’t wait for some of the younger players to experience the atmosphere that the members and supporters can generate. The Taunton crowd is passionate and knowledgeable, and we will be doing everything that we can to win games of cricket and give them something to celebrate.”A World Cup-winner, Knight has captained England across formats since 2016, and is currently leading the team on their tour of South Africa.Somerset Women head coach, Trevor Griffin, said: “Heather is a player I’ve worked with for many years, and I’m delighted she will be playing for Somerset when her England commitments allow. She is a true professional who impacts games both on and off the pitch and is an invaluable addition to any side.”I’m sure our supporters will be looking forward to seeing Heather in a Somerset shirt and winning games of cricket for us.”Somerset’s director of cricket, Andy Hurry, added: “Heather is a world-class performer who has shown her quality on the biggest stages across the world. She is hugely respected within and outside the game, and the experience she can share both on and off the field will have a major impact on the team, the club and the region.”It’s an honour to have the England captain committed to the club, and there is no doubt that she will inspire future generations of Somerset players, members and supporters.”

So far this summer, West Ham United have signed just three players. With just weeks left until the 2025/26 Premier League campaign gets underway, Graham Potter must act swiftly to bolster his squad.

Last season, the Irons finished 14th in the top flight, having the sixth-worst attacking record in the entire division.

As such, signing another striker or two wouldn’t go amiss this summer. The question is, who would be a perfect fit for Potter and his style at the London Stadium?

West Ham’s search for a striker

At the time of writing, Niclas Füllkrug is the only senior centre-forward available to Potter after the club released Danny Ings and Michail Antonio at the end of the season.

The Irons have been linked with Harvey Elliott recently, yet he isn’t a striker, despite scoring five goals for England U21s as they won the European Championship this summer.

According to talkSPORT, meanwhile, Callum Wilson has agreed terms with West Ham ahead of a proposed move. The 33-year-old striker is available on a free transfer after being released by Newcastle at the end of last term.

Despite his advancing years, Wilson could provide a decent option for Potter over the next 12 months and potentially beyond. He must remain fit, however.

If he does, then the Englishman could be an upgrade to Fullkrug.

Why West Ham want to sign Callum Wilson

Fullkrug joined the club last summer from Borussia Dortmund after enjoying an excellent spell in the Bundesliga.

He netted 15 times for the German side throughout 2023/24, but struggled with injuries in his debut campaign at West Ham, making just 20 appearances last season.

When he was on the pitch, the striker scored only three goals, hardly worth the £27m investment that was splashed out on him.

Wilson has endured his own injury issues, but if you compare his 2023/24 campaign in the Premier League to Fullkrug’s stats from last term, the Englishman would be a significant upgrade.

Callum Wilson’s Newcastle statistics
Season	Games	Goals	Assists
2024/25	22	1	0
2023/24	26	10	1
2022/23	36	18	5
2021/22	18	8	0
2020/21	28	12	5
Via Transfermarkt

Indeed, that season, Wilson scored nine league goals and grabbed an assist for the Magpies. Fullkrug scored three times and grabbed two assists for the Irons.

Wilson also averaged more total shots (1.8 vs 0.9), scored more frequently (110 minutes vs 263 minutes) and even succeeded with more dribbles (0.7 vs 0.1) comparing their respective league campaigns.

Eddie Howe once described Wilson’s importance to Newcastle as “incredible” and it now seems as though he is set to enjoy an Indian summer in London.

Should Wilson return to full fitness, he would be a massive boost to Potter and his attempts to take West Ham back into the top half of the Premier League table, having already netted 88 times in England’s top flight. Fullkrug, by contrast, scored just 56 times in Germany’s top tier.

The signing may well be a gamble, but given Wilson won’t cost a penny in transfer fees, it couldscore 12 times in 16 meetings turn out to be a shrewd one indeed.

West Ham fans will be hoping the striker can replicate the form which saw him win nine England caps and has seen him score 12 times in 16 meetings against them. That’s a certainty.

Scouts sent: West Ham now enter race to sign £12m Richard Rios alternative

The Hammers aren’t the only club interested…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 26, 2025

It’s been a testing summer window for Newcastle United.

Despite their return to the Champions League and a squad brimming with youthful potential, key attacking targets continue to slip through their fingers.

Bryan Mbeumo, João Pedro and Hugo Ekitike have all eluded the Magpies, while names like Benjamin Šeško remain out of reach for now.

Attention recently turned to Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who left the Bees’ pre-season camp amid mounting speculation about his future and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Capable of playing across the front line and known for his pressing and intelligent movement, Wissa fits the profile of a player who could offer cover and competition for Alexander Isak, who remains a concern for Eddie Howe in terms of durability.

But Newcastle may have their sights set on a less polished alternative: a young forward who outscored Wissa and Sesko last season and could offer the clinical edge that’s been missing at key moments.

Newcastle looking at £40m striker

At 22, Mika Biereth might not be a household name in the Premier League just yet, but his numbers over the past 12 months have turned heads across Europe.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Well, after that stunning form, Newcastle, Wolves, Aston Villa and Everton have all been quoted as having an interest, according to Caught Offside, as they plot their respective moves.

After spending the first half of the 2023/24 season at SK Sturm Graz, the former Arsenal academy product made a €13m move to Monaco in January but according to the report, he could go for £40m now.

Across both stints, the forward proved himself to be a “menace” in the words of The Athletic’s Alex Barker, racking up 27 goals in all competitions, including 24 in domestic leagues alone. That’s more than Wissa (20) and Sesko (21) managed during the same campaign.

What makes this even more striking is his underlying data: those 24 goals came from an expected goals tally of just 11.3.

That’s a dramatic overperformance, one reminiscent of Darwin Núñez’s final season at Benfica, and while such numbers often regress over time, they still signal elite-level finishing instincts.

How Wissa compares to Biereth

According to data from FBref, Biereth registered 1.66 shots on target per 90 minutes last season, with 60.5% of his total efforts hitting the target. By comparison, Wissa, a proven Premier League operator, managed 1.27 shots on target per 90, with an accuracy of just 45.6%.

Biereth’s sharpness in front of goal would complement Newcastle’s creative wingers, particularly Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, who regularly generate chances with their direct running and early deliveries into the box.

However, Biereth is not yet the finished article. His contribution to build-up play is minimal compared to Wissa’s. He averaged just 10.9 passes per 90 and registered fewer progressive carries (1.02) and progressive passes (1.75) than Wissa (1.85 and 2.07, respectively).

He also ranks poorly in aerial duels, winning just 33.3% of his battles despite standing 6 foot 2 – a surprising stat when compared to Wissa’s 45.5% success rate, which places the Brentford man in the 64th percentile despite his smaller frame.

This same data from FBref shows that Wissa’s pressing numbers are also superior. He makes more tackles per 90 (0.68 vs 0.36), including more in the final third (0.25 vs 0.15), and he completes take-ons at a far higher rate (30.6% vs just 9.1%). These metrics suggest Wissa is far more integrated into all phases of play, from defensive pressing to link-up.

Still, that may be exactly why Biereth would offer something different. Newcastle already have a multi-functional No.9 in Isak, and what they lack is a game-changing finisher who can be introduced in moments of chaos.

For £40m, Monaco may be willing to sell, especially after signing Ansu Fati and with other forwards like Breel Embolo and Folarin Balogun on their books.

Newcastle would be gambling on potential, but it’s the kind of gamble that could prove inspired, particularly in scenarios against deep blocks where space is at a premium.

If Newcastle want a ready-made Premier League performer, Wissa ticks every box. He presses, combines well, and contributes defensively. But if they’re looking for a match-winner, someone who can convert at a rate few strikers in Europe can match, Biereth deserves serious consideration.

His raw data suggests an elite finisher in the making, and with the right service and role, he could offer Newcastle something they haven’t had in years: a true penalty-box predator with the confidence and tools to decide games on his own.

Better fit than Ekitike: Newcastle lead race to sign £44m Wissa alternative

Newcastle eye highly-rated French forward after losing out on Ekitike

ByWill Miller Jul 22, 2025

Real Madrid want Franco Mastantuono to miss out on the Under 20 World Cup with Argentina, with Xabi Alonso saying he will stay with the La Liga side.

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Los Blancos are determined to prevent Mastantuono from joining Argentina’s U-20 squad for the World Cup in Chile. The 18-year-old youngster only arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after the club triggered his €45 million (£38m/$49m) release clause at River Plate, signing him on a six-year deal. Argentina’s federation have been pushing to secure his participation, but Alonso has shut the door on any chance of a call-up.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  If released, Mastantuono would miss up to seven matches for Madrid in La Liga and the Champions League. The winger is viewed as one of Madrid’s brightest long-term investments, having already been handed starts in La Liga this season. Argentina see him as a natural fit for their youth setup, but Madrid believe keeping him in Spain is vital for his development. This tug-of-war reflects a wider trend, with elite European clubs increasingly reluctant to release teenage stars for youth tournaments that clash with the senior calendar.

• WHAT XABI ALONSO SAID

  “If it’s up to us, he’ll stay with us,” Alonso told reporters ahead of the clash with Real Sociedad.

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• TELL ME MORE…

  Despite being left out of Diego Placente’s preliminary U-20 squad, Argentine newspaper suggest officials are ready to travel to Europe in a last-ditch attempt to convince the club. The Albiceleste are desperate to include the teenager, especially after he made his international debut earlier this year in Messi’s potential farewell game against Venezuela.

Xabi Alonso used his post-match press conference to mount a defence of Dean Huijsen, after the young centre back was sent off on the 30-minute mark in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. The ex-Bournemouth starlet was shown a straight red after pulling down Mikel Oyarzabal, with the referee judging the Sociedad striker had a clear route to goal.

Alonso says Huijsen 'relieved' Real Madrid's 2-1 win

Huijsen was given his marching orders with Los Blancos nursing a 1-0 lead. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring after ten minutes. Following Huijsen's dismissal, Arda Guler added a second just before the stroke of halftime, and ground out a big win despite Oyarzabal converting a penalty. Alonso said the 22-year-old was "relieved" his mistake did not cost his side the game. 

AdvertisementAFPAlonso questions Huijsen's red card

Alonso questioned the referee's decision, suggesting Oyarzabal did not have the ball under control and Eder Militao was providing cover for the attack. The decision saw an intervention from VAR, which Alonso also questioned. Despite his protestations with the officiating, was quick to put the focus back on his side's performance, praising their ability to find the second goal despite the adversity. 

What Xabi Alonso said

On Huijsen's red card Alonso said: "For me, it was a yellow card. Mili was close by and the ball wasn’t under control. After watching the replay, I haven’t changed my mind. I asked, he gave me his explanation, and I wasn’t convinced. And I’ll leave it at that. It changed the context of the match, and we played with 10 men for 60 minutes. We had chances and scored the second goal to give ourselves some breathing room. The team knew how to sacrifice themselves and put in a generous effort. Winning at Anoeta is always very difficult, and today, if anything, it was even more difficult.”

On the VAR intervention, he added: "When there are obvious mistakes, I like VAR to intervene, but when there aren’t, I understand that it shouldn’t get involved. I don’t want to make the referee a recurring theme. It’s time to move on.”

On Huijsen's emotions after the game, Alonso said: "He was relieved. Obviously angry, but relieved with the victory. These are avoidable actions, there was a lot of space and Oyarzabal didn’t have the ball under control. The gesture could be improved.”

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Getty Images SportWhat next for Huijsen and Real Madrid?

Huijsen will look to improve on his mistake — GOAL gave the young defender a 2/10 for his performance against Sociedad — in his Champions League debut against Marseille on Tuesday night. 

Chelsea, amid their ongoing negotiations for Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho, also have to find a solution to their defensive shortage.

The west Londoners were considering a centre-back even before Levi Colwill’s nightmare ACL injury (Simon Phillips), but those plans have been brought more to the forefront with their Cobham academy graduate poised to miss around six-to-nine months.

He suffered the anterior cruciate ligament problem towards the end of his first training session back at the west London club, with his return ending in horror and 2025/2026 now mostly written off for Colwill.

There were some reports that Chelsea could turn to Renato Veiga as an option to fill in for the 22-year-old, but that notion has since been followed by credible sources confirming that the Portugal international remains up for sale.

Chelsea have already signed Jorrel Hato from Ajax, but Enzo Maresca and co reportedly view the teenage starlet as more of a left-back to alternate with Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea looking into signing defender on loan

Now, according to journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack, Chelsea are thinking of an emergency measure to reinforce their central defensive numbers.

The club are under pressure from UEFA to register a positive transfer balance by September, or they won’t be able to register new signings for the Champions League, so it is imperative that BlueCo do not overspend on a new centre-back.

To combat this, Phillips reports that Chelsea are holding internal talks over signing a new defender on loan.

“Chelsea are exploring possible new centre backs after the injury to Levi Colwill,” wrote the journalist.

“Well, they were exploring new centre backs before that, and the proof is in the pudding because they tried to sign Dean Huijsen and failed, and then tried for Jarrad Branthwaite after that but his price tag was way too high.

“Sources have said this week that the club are discussing a new centre back again, and although we don’t have any solid names yet and will update accordingly when we do, there is talk of a potential loan deal being done for an incoming centre back.

“Chelsea do still hold an interest in Antonio Silva from Benfica, but the Marc Guehi noise is dying off because he prefers to go elsewhere at the moment.

“At the moment, it’s still all being considered, but at this point I’d be surprised if Chelsea now don’t sign a new centre back this window. It could still rest on player sales, but that will only be if we decide to sign a permanent new centre back rather than loan one in, which as I say, is now being spoken about internally.”

Maresca has confirmed that Wesley Fofana is likely to play against Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener this weekend, and Trevoh Chalobah’s ankle injury isn’t as bad as first though, so it’s likely the Italian will start with those two against the Eagles.

Bangladesh surprisingly declared their first innings 181 runs behind, after which WI were bowled out for 152

Mohammad Isam25-Nov-2024West Indies are three wickets away from clinching the Antigua Test against Bangladesh. The visitors ended the fourth day on 109 for 7 after they were set a target of 334. Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales led the way for the hosts with three wickets each, as Bangladesh’s specialist batters failed to put together a performance for the umpteenth time this year.West Indies themselves couldn’t put up a bigger target after they were bowled out for 152 in the second innings. Taskin Ahmed got his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests, finishing up with 6 for 64. This came on the back of Bangladesh’s surprise declaration on the fourth morning, despite being 181 runs behind West Indies’ first-innings total of 450 for 9.Bangladesh’s batters, however, couldn’t repay their bowlers. Both their openers got out similarly to how they were dismissed in the first innings. Zakir Hasan inside-edged Roach on to his stumps, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Seales to third slip. Roach then set Shahadat Hossain up in the 11th over, getting the ball to seam away several times before bowling a booming inswinger. The ball kissed Shahadat’s gloves as he tried to get out of the way, before Joshua Da Silva took the inside edge.Shamar Joseph then saw two dropped catches in his first over, both of Mominul Haque. Da Silva dropped a chance down the leg side, before Mikyle Louis couldn’t hold on to a straightforward one at gully. Mominul, however, couldn’t last long, as Roach took a superb caught and bowled from his drive in the next over.Taskin Ahmed took a career-best 6 for 64•CWIBut Shamar’s bad luck continued at the other end. Alick Athanaze dropped Mehidy Hasan Miraz at second slip, with the Bangladesh captain on 14. Litton Das cut one uppishly, only for Seales to get a hand on it at backward point. Shamar’s exasperation at having four catches dropped off his bowling, however, didn’t last too long. He had Litton caught at fine leg for 22 to reduce Bangladesh to 59 for 5 in the 18th over.Mehidy was the only one fighting for Bangladesh, riding out the short-ball barrage, and keeping the scoreboard moving. He made 45 off 46 balls with five fours and a six, before Seales got him caught behind, as Da Silva took a fine catch. Seales then clean bowled Taijul Islam as well.West Indies’ morning had started with good fortune despite the declaration surprise. Shahadat, at first slip, dropped captain Kraigg Brathwaite on 9. Next ball, Taskin slammed an inswinger into Louis’ front pad, but umpire Kumar Dharmasena said not out. Replays showed that the batter was plumb in front, but Bangladesh hadn’t taken the review.Taskin, however, removed Louis in his next over when the opener was caught behind for 8. Taskin then had Keacy Carty caught at third slip, a further reward of his excellent line and length in his first spell. Brathwaite then guided Shoriful Islam to second slip in the following over, as the visitors’ decision to declare got an early vindication.Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze nearly got West Indies out of trouble. The pair struck eight fours either side of the lunch break, but just when they added 50 for the fourth wicket, Bangladesh struck three times in as many overs. Taskin’s beautiful delivery that nipped slightly away had Hodge caught behind for 15. It was also Litton Das’ 100th catch in Tests.File photo: Jayden Seales also finished the day with three wickets•AFP/Getty ImagesMehidy then removed Athanaze in the following over. He made 42 off 63 balls, with seven fours, but the young left-hander played a superfluous shot, struck on the back foot while trying to cut a ball that was spinning into him. Then Taskin clipped Justin Greaves’ off stump with another fantastic delivery, as the first-innings centurion made just 2 in the second.Alzarri Joseph immediately counterattacked against Taskin, and this time there were no verbal exchanges between the two. Da Silva followed suit by getting two fours off Taskin’s next over. He struck Taijul for a straight six, but then the left-arm spinner got one to get big on Da Silva, who gave a catch to point.Alzarri then holed out to short fine leg after top edging Mehidy. He had earlier survived a similar top edge, but Mominul had dropped a relatively difficult chance. Mominul had earlier also dropped Carty at short cover.It was, however, all forgotten when Taskin yorked Shamar to complete his first five-for. He finished up the West Indies innings when Mehidy took a brilliant diving catch at mid-off, after Roach was deceived by a Taskin’s slower ball.But Bangladesh’s batters couldn’t be inspired by their bowlers, as they crumbled on the fourth day.

The Premier League season is upon us, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is determined to reclaim his crown.

It’s curious to think that Guardiola is entering the campaign as something of an underdog as far as the title chase is concerned, but perhaps the critics are forgetting that the peerless tactician will have a chip on his shoulder, and that he’s responded from a bump in the road with a domestic double in 2020/21, winning the top-flight title and the Carabao Cup.

But there’s no denying City were reduced to a state of mortality last season, at times so vulnerable in defence and lacking throughout the seamless fluency and grace that the manager’s illustrious project has come to be defined by.

With Guardiola ostensibly stepping into the penultimate year of his contract, he will demand nothing less than glory from both himself and his squad.

Let’s have a look at the state of play.

The state of play at Man City

Manchester City haven’t quite completed as noisy a rebuild as some of their prominent Premier League rivals, but that hardly denotes a worrying transfer window for Pep and his suits.

The dethroned champions have won six of the past seven league titles, and despite losing Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish, have added to their ranks talents such as Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri to recalibrate the creative flow.

James Trafford has also been added between the sticks in a £31m deal, but with Ederson’s future up in the air, it’s felt that a bid is forthcoming for ostracised Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

These are all good signings, perhaps ingredients from which the Spanish boss can work his magic. But given that down the M62, Arne Slot’s Liverpool, the reigning champions, have made sweeping, startling changes, more could be required.

Liverpool are gearing up to sign Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but the Etihad Stadium side may well plan to land their own version of the Swedish forward.

Man City eyeing marquee signing

According to sources in Spain, Man City are preparing a seismic offer for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, with Guardiola having registered his interest in the Brazil forward this month.

The trophy-winning outfit haven’t splurged nearly as much as some of their rivals this summer, and have the means to fork out a significant fee on the 24-year-old, who Los Blancos have valued at €100m (£86m).

With Tottenham Hotspur chasing a deal for Savinho, completion there would accelerate the Sky Blues’ bid. This one will likely drag into the closing stages of the window.

What Rodrygo would bring to Man City

It’s impossible to accurately predict how each side will fare in the build-up to any given campaign. Invariably, certain players and clubs exceed expectations, while others shock the world with their withering away.

However, it would be fair to suggest that Man City expect to improve on their woes from last season, finishing third with and losing the FA Cup, going trophyless but for success in the Community Shield.

And should they complete a marquee move for Rodrygo, the chances of returning to their finest form increase exponentially. He is that good.

Hailed as “the jewel in the crown” by one analyst discussing Real Madrid, Rodrygo struggled to reach his peak levels last year and maybe even fell by the wayside, unable to break his duck across his last 17 La Liga matches and only scored six times in the division.

However, the right-footer was also limited to performances on the right flank, and he prepares to peel off the left so as to maximise his goalscoring potential. Across all competitions, he featured 12 times as a left winger in 2024/25, scoring six goals and supplying six assists.

Should Guardiola succeed in energising Rodrygo’s potency, he might land his answer to Isak, who could secure his place as Liverpool’s talisman in the coming weeks.

The South American star would rival Erling Haaland as the club’s standout forward – marking an upgrade on Savinho – by turns supplying the Norwegian and then cutting into space and striking on goal himself. Given that he only missed one big chance in the Spanish top-flight last term, via Sofascore, prolific levels could be achieved by a manager in Guardiola, who certainly knows what he’s doing on the tactical front.

Rodrygo vs Savinho (past 365 days)

Stats (per 90)

Rodrygo

Savinho

Goals

0.35

0.08

Assists

0.22

0.35

Shots taken

2.54

2.77

Shot-creating actions

4.56

5.15

Pass completion

85.7%

80.6%

Touches (att pen)

5.84

7.57

Progressive passes

4.69

3.19

Progressive carries

5.07

6.61

Successful take-ons

2.15

2.69

Data via FBref

Even after his lowest ebb, the £209k-per-week talent managed to far outstrip the talented but untapped Savinho from an output perspective, and he has the physical and technical skills to rise further still, with his teammate Jude Bellingham even saying that he’s “probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad.”

Securing a world-class winger of his distinction, who is versatile and can play across the frontline, thus aligning with Pep’s demands of his forwards, could certainly prove the answer to Isak, who is sure to bring more goals to the Anfield table than his predecessor Darwin Nunez, should he sign for Liverpool this month.

Rodrygo, moreover, has a remarkable track record in the Champions League; City know all too well the Brazilian’s prowess in the knockout rounds. This is something that could bear dividends as the club quest for their second title in Europe’s elite competition.

Isak might have scored 27 goals across all competitions last season, but Rodrygo has the capacity to rain both goals and assists on Man City’s opponents next season, and across multiple competitions at that.

There seems to be a strange kind of deflation around the expectations of England’s dominant team of the age, but rivals and critics can doubt the Etihad side at their own peril.

Guardiola’s done it all before, and so, interestingly, has Rodrygo.

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Posts ByJoe Nuttall Aug 15, 2025