Transfer Rumour Unconfirmed · Early speculationDaily Mail FootballUnverified sourceVia Jack Gaughan· 22 Aug 2026
Maresca: City must find 'new Rodri' this summer
With Rodri gone to Barcelona, City's boss insists replacements can be moulded into stars.
Manchester City
team
Event
Rodri left for Barcelona last week
Target
Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi expected to sign
Current squad
19 senior outfield players
What happened. Enzo Maresca said Manchester City need to find a 'new Rodri' this summer, with the Spain captain having left for Barcelona and a deal for Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi expected.
- Maresca cited Rodri's own rise from unproven to Ballon d'Or winner.
- He compared replacing stars to Aguero→Haaland and Fernandinho→Rodri.
- City have 10 days left in the window and hope to complete needed deals.
“Now the target for us is to try to find the new Rodri.”
— Enzo Maresca
City are expected to wrap up Bouaddi's signing before the deadline, with Maresca aiming for a squad of 20 outfield players.
In this story
E. Maresca
Rodri
A. BouaddiMore to read
BBC Sport
Man City will 'try to find the new Rodri' - Maresca
Daily Mail Football
Man City close to sealing deal for £85m-rated 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Enzo Maresca's side preparing for life after Barcelona-bound Rodri
The Guardian
Manchester City closing in on £85m Bouaddi to soften blow of Rodri’s expected exit
Daily Mail Football
New Man City boss Enzo Maresca highlights area of weakness in his squad - as club progress in deal to sign Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi
The Guardian
Retaining Rodri is key to Manchester City success under Enzo Maresca
BBC Sport
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