CORNERFLICK
Manchester City have overhauled their midfield in one of the club’s biggest rebuilds in years, with three high-profile signings arriving after four senior players left in the summer of 2026.
Outgoings reshape the squad
Bernardo Silva left for Real Madrid on a free transfer, Tijjani Reijnders joined Al Qadsiah for £52 million, Rodri moved to Barcelona for about £65 million and Nico González signed for Newcastle for a fee close to £50 million. The departures brought in about £167 million.
City spend big on replacements
City responded by spending around £327 million on Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club-record £116 million, 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for about £86 million and Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for £125 million.
Anderson is expected to add ball-winning energy, Bouaddi is viewed as a long-term deep-lying playmaker and Fernández brings leadership and experience. The changes fit a more pragmatic approach under Enzo Maresca after Pep Guardiola.
The turnover has drawn criticism, particularly given City’s 115 charges case, but the club’s rebuild points to a clear move into a new era.