Manchester City are keen to sign Portugal winger Pedro Neto, 26, from Chelsea but face competition from Al-Hilal. (Talksport), external
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Elizabeth Conway
Spanish football reporter
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Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City for about £65m
The 30-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, is set to sign a four-year deal with the Spanish champions.
Rodri leaves City having won 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League in 2022-23.
But who can replace him at City?
Talk of City signing 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi has been rumbling all summer, and the club have reportedly held talks with the Moroccan, who would cost an estimated £85m and is said to be keen on the move.
The teenager impressed at this summer's World Cup after a starring role in Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 announced him on the big stage.
Man City's interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez has been no secret, despite not submitting a bid for the Argentine before the Blues' Friday deadline.
Man City boss Maresca is clearly a fan of Fernandez, having made him Chelsea captain when Reece James was injured, and he played the Argentine in 79 of his 92 games in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Another potential midfield signing is Bournemouth's Alex Scott.
Scott's energy and ball-carrying ability suit Maresca's preferred style of play - with a heavy emphasis on possession - while his passes into the box and ability to win duels make him an appealing option.
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister also interests Maresca.
The Argentine is into the final two years of his contract at Anfield and has been a consistent presence in the Reds' midfield during his time there, though he struggled for form during a troublesome 2025-26 season
City fans, what is your reaction to the news of Rodri's exit? And what should City do next?
Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City were playing their first competitive game without Pep Guardiola as their manager in over 10 years, since Manuel Pellegrini oversaw a 1-1 draw with Swansea in May, 2016.
This was not the result they were hoping for.
Arsenal took the lead after just 23 seconds, doubled their advantage thanks to some static City defending in the 23rd minute and added a third three minutes into the second half.
Their defeat was the biggest in the Community Shield since 2014, when Arsene Wenger's Arsenal also beat Pellegrini's City 3-0.
New manager Enzo Maresca gave £116m signing Elliot Anderson his competitive City debut and started Phil Foden, who had been out of favour under Guardiola last season.
Jack Grealish also came on in the second half for his first City appearance in 15 months.
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think the goal we conceded after 25 seconds unfortunately affected the game in that moment. I think after the goal, the reaction was quite good before they scored the second one, we had three or four chances to score and draw the game but unfortunately we conceded the second one and it became more complicated."
On the early goal: "Disappointed with that because in this kind of game the level is so similar that when you concede a goal, it then becomes difficult but I think the action after the first goal was quite good and we created chances but again, 2-0 was even more complicated."
On City's performance aside from the goals: "After the first one I was quite happy because we didn't concede nothing [again], and we created three or four chances to draw the game but unfortunately we conceded the second one, and there is a mistake there but it's just the beginning.
"Then from next Sunday we start the Premier League and then the focus has to be about that."
On what needs to be done: "We have many things to work [on]. The season's just started so there are many things we need to do better but even when we win games there are things we need to do better."
Did you know?
Enzo Maresca suffered the joint-heaviest defeat by a Manchester City manager in their first game, with Harry Newbould in 1906 the only previous one to lose by 3+ goals (1-4 v Arsenal).
City's 0-3 loss is Maresca's joint-heaviest defeat as a manager in English football, having only once previously lost by a 3+ goal margin (Chelsea 0-3 Brighton in February 2025).
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Arsenal's performance
What did you make of Manchester City's display?
Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.
Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City manager Enzo Maresca has no easy task following Pep Guardiola's impressive 10-year act.
For many, his appointment suggests a continuation in tactical approach. But Maresca, despite clearly being inspired by his former mentor, has his own style and it is one we have started to see emerge across pre-season.
To understand Maresca's City we need to provide some context about Guardiola's.
Guardiola, by some, is mistakenly thought to be strictly married to a singular approach. But, while he had principles he stuck to throughout his career, he did not stick to one system.
These principles included keeping as much of the ball as possible, as far away from his team's goal and as close to the opponent's goal. His game was also founded on the basis of positional play.
Domenec Torrent, a long-time assistant of Guardiola's, offered a nice definition of positional play. He described it as: "How you place yourself in relation to others on the field when you have the ball, and where you should be so you can continue pressing when you lose it".
The coach implements tactics based on the positions of players, in the hope of giving their team an advantage.
Maresca's City also embody these principles, evident by their 64% possession in their first pre-season game against Inter Milan.
On the ball, players in Maresca's set-up play in clearly defined positions rather than moving around the pitch freely. It is obvious the Italian, like Guardiola, is a champion of positional play.
We have also seen Maresca leave four or five players - the three defenders and the holding midfielders - behind the ball whilst they attack, ensuring his team maintains a good 'rest defence'.
Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesOut of possession is where we have seen the biggest changes from Enzo Maresca compared to his time at Stamford Bridge.
At Chelsea, Maresca mainly used a man-to-man press high up the pitch. In pre-season we have seen Manchester City defend high up the pitch but in a more zonal fashion - something they did last season under Pep Guardiola.
City's starting shape here has looked like a 4-2-4, before players spring to press certain opponents when the moment is right.
Reflecting on how the game has changed in pre-season, Maresca said: "Usually the team that was defending found the solution by going man-to-man.
"Now the teams that try to build up are trying to find solutions against man-to-man. I don't know when but there is going to be a bit of change."
And his change in defensive approach appears to be trying to ensure his side are ready for teams who are preparing to play against man-to-man presses more often.
In pre-season, this has been the weakest part of City's system with players, often in midfield or at full-back, having to cover large distances, leaving gaps in their defensive shape.
Like with any defensive approach that involves an element of pressing, this improves with time, as players better understand the press, as well as when physical condition improves.
But this something Guardiola tweaked often last season, struggling to land on something he was completely happy with.
There is benefit in Maresca's hire following Guardiola because it provides a sense of familiarity, particularly in terms of the team's identity and their principles.
Maresca's system is its own, but interestingly there are references to City's last decade as the club look to begin a new chapter.
Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea set a deadline of Friday at 17:00 BST for offers for Manchester City target Enzo Fernandez, who they value at £120m.
The potential move would see the Argentina midfielder link up again with new City boss Enzo Maresca, who was formerly his manager at Chelsea.
A potential deal for Fernandez relies on City selling Rodri, officially the best player at the 2026 World Cup among numerous other accolades, to Barcelona. City are not planning to sign Fernandez if he stays.
The defensive midfielder has been a crucial part of City's success in recent years, helping them win the 2022-23 Treble - including scoring the winner in the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
The 30-year-old has played 298 times, lifting a total of four league titles, plus several cups - and winning the Ballon d'Or.
Rodri wants to return to his native Spain and join Barcelona - with Real Madrid having dropped out of the chase - and City are asking for 80m euros (£68.4m).
But Barca's opening bid for a player out of contract next summer was only £38.5m.
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone says the Rodri and Fernandez deals happening are dependent on each other - but do not need to go through at the same time.
If City knew Rodri was going it would enable them to make a bid for Fernandez.
And it is possible he could even sign before Rodri is ready to play again after a minor back procedure.
Maresca is clearly a huge fan of Fernandez, having made him Chelsea captain when Reece James was injured.
And he played the Argentine in 79 of his 92 games in charge.
Fernandez is by nature a defensive midfielder - but Maresca played him further forward many times last season when Cole Palmer was injured - leading to him scoring a career-best 15 goals.
That means there are several places Fernandez could fit into Maresca's City team.
Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Community Shield match against Arsenal at Principality Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Erling Haaland is "fine" after sitting out for the final part of the club's open training session at Etihad Stadium on Thursday. The striker is just nursing "some small things behind his heels".
The reason for Savinho's absence was illness. The left winger's availability will rest on his ability to train with the squad on Friday afternoon.
He rejected the idea that the Community Shield is just another pre-season friendly, explaining: "When a trophy is there for the taking, you always try to win the game. It isn't a friendly game at all, it is a trophy opportunity."
On facing Premier League winners Arsenal: "It is a fantastic team which is well managed and well coached by Mikel Arteta. Last season shows how good they are at the moment, but we are Manchester City and we are going to try to close the gap on them."
He wants to see "the right spirit to continue to improve" and "the right mentality to continue to win games and titles" when his players step out at Wembley Stadium.
When asked if he expects Rodri to be at Manchester City at the end of the transfer window, having reported back for pre-season on Friday, Maresca replied: "Anything can happen. I just saw him in the building and I gave him a big hug. He is looking good. We will see what happens."
Rodri is in the rehabilitation phase of his "recovery programme" after having minor back surgery in July.
However, Maresca's focus isn't on "the players that might be leaving or arriving" with just two days to go until his first competitive match as Manchester City boss.
He remained tight-lipped on the club's interest in Enzo Fernandez, despite Chelsea setting a Friday deadline for offers of £120m or more from clubs interested in the midfielder. "I don't think we're going to do something today, to be honest..." he offered.
On whether he has tried to convince Tijjani Reijnders to stay at Etihad Stadium: "It is a bit difficult to convince players when they are already convinced in their minds. Sometimes the club, the player and the manager all think it is the right decision to let a player go."
The future of centre-back Vitor Reis, who spent last season on loan at Girona, is still unclear, though.
Hit play above to hear more from Maresca or listen on BBC Sounds
Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Arsenal v Man City from 15:00 on BBC Sounds
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