Deadline Day looms as Maresca hunts a new Rodri for Manchester City

10 days remain before Deadline Day on 22 August 2026, and Enzo Maresca says Manchester City must find a new Rodri' this summer after the Spain captain departed for Barcelona last week, leaving the Etihad without its midfield linchpin for the club.

The Spain captain, Rodri’, left for Barcelona last week, ending his tenure as City’s midfield anchor that began in 2019. His exit creates a void that the club must fill before the summer window closes.

Targeting Lille’s prospect

City are expected to wrap up a deal for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi during the transfer window. The young midfielder is seen as a potential replacement for the departed linchpin.

Elliot Anderson has already signed, and Maresca is confident that the new recruits can fill the void left by Rodri.

Recruitment philosophy

‘Now the target for us is to try to find the new Rodri,’ Maresca said. ‘How do we solve the problem? Try to find the new Rodri. Before he arrived, he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, he didn’t win the Champions League, he didn’t win the Club World Cup. He joined the club then he achieved many important things.’

Maresca reminded that Man City have previously replaced big‑name stars – when Sergio Aguero left, Erling Haaland arrived; Fernandinho was succeeded by Rodri; and before that David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling were brought in. He stressed that such cycles are normal and that the club must keep recruiting the right talent.

The club is aiming for a squad of around 20 outfield players. Currently there are 19 senior players, excluding summer signing Jeremy Monga, while targets such as Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Jack Grealish are also on the radar.

With only 10 days left, Maresca noted that clubs typically hold onto players until the final week before selling for higher fees. He expects the full squad to be assembled before the deadline, ensuring a different but competitive lineup.