Enzo Maresca outlines Manchester City’s transfer ambitions after £116M Elliot Anderson signing | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has confirmed Manchester City are still actively working in the transfer market, acknowledging that further business is expected before the summer window closes.

Manchester City have already spent a club record £116 million for the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest – amid a belief that five new signings are being mooted as part of the most significant squad rebuild in the club’s recent history.

The update comes as pre-season training gets underway at the City Football Academy, with a number of FIFA World Cup participants yet to return and the full picture of Maresca’s available squad still to come into focus before competitive football returns.

Maresca: “There are probably a few things to do – we are in the process to do that”

Speaking at his first press conference as Manchester City head coach, Maresca outlined his aspirations for the opening transfer window since his return to the Etihad Stadium.

“I think there is always something to do, because it’s something we want to do but also because the dynamic of the transfer window,” said Maresca. “There are probably a few things to do, but we are in the process to do that.”

Maresca has previously spoken about wanting a larger squad than his predecessor Pep Guardiola worked with, and his reference to “the dynamic of the transfer window” reflects the reality that timing is rarely entirely within a club’s control, however clear their targets may be.

The manager’s openness on the subject also reflects the trust between himself and director of football Hugo Viana in the collaborative structure the club has built around the new era, with the pair understood to be closely aligned on the profile of players still required across multiple positions.

What does Maresca’s update mean for Man City’s remaining transfer activity?

The positions City are understood to be continuing to work on include a second central midfielder, a winger, and right-back cover – areas that remain subject to ongoing negotiations with multiple clubs as the window progresses beyond the halfway point of the summer.

City are in negotiations with Tottenham for Savinho, with the potential exits of Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders also likely to trigger further additions in midfield as Viana and co brace themselves for a busy last five weeks of the transfer window.

James Trafford is closing in on a transfer to Leeds United and the Blues will enter the market for a replacement if a move materialises, with the last six weeks of the transfer window expected to see further departures among fringe first-team stars.