Maresca confirms Man City talks amid Rodri uncertainty after 3-0 loss

Manchester City lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield, leaving Enzo Maresca with defeat in his first competitive match. The manager said new players must arrive quickly, with the Premier League season starting in one week.

Maresca confirmed that Manchester City’s recruitment plans were already under way before the loss at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. He said the work was not a response to the Arsenal result and indicated that the club intends to make further additions before the transfer window closes.

The immediate focus is Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Manchester City are in advanced negotiations with the French club, with the proposed fee understood to be around €80 million after Lille initially valued the player at €100 million.

Bouaddi has agreed personal terms and wants the move completed quickly. Maresca did not confirm the transfer, noting that the midfielder remains a Lille player, but stressed the value of bringing any new signing into the squad as soon as possible.

The talks come as questions surround Rodri’s future at Manchester City. Rodri, a 30-year-old Spain international who plays as a defensive midfielder, was not included in the squad for the Community Shield. His current club is Manchester City, where he remains valued at €55 million.

Rodri’s injury history includes groin and hamstring problems, although no reason was given for his absence from the Arsenal match. With the season approaching and established midfielders potentially leaving, Bouaddi’s possible arrival would give Maresca another option in the centre of the team.