Enzo Maresca can finally get started on shaping the new Manchester City after being announced as Pep Guardiola's replacement on Monday.
The former Guardiola lieutenant arrives with enormous shoes to fill, and must oversee a significant transition this summer to bring City back to the top of English football after falling short in the last two seasons.
With one major arrival already through the door to greet Maresca, the focus is now on who he wants to be part of the new era, and whose time is up.
Here, our Manchester City expert JACK GAUGHAN reveals the club's transfer plans for their first season in a decade without Guardiola in the dugout.
MARESCA ANNOUNCEMENT PIC
An opening statement of intent
City had been in negotiations with Nottingham Forest over Elliot Anderson for weeks. As we reported, there had been a broad agreement on a fee but talks appeared to drag over the finances and timeframe of the bonuses and the two clubs struck a compromise.
It does make Anderson the most expensive British footballer of all time with the £116m deal, edging out Jude Bellingham after his 2023 move to Real Madrid, while the England international is expected to take home up to £300,000 a week – in line with the overall package afforded to now club and country team-mate Marc Guehi in January.
While England are allowing players to complete medicals and moves during the World Cup, it is unlikely that City will push to conduct any in-house media around the deal until Anderson arrives in Manchester, following his mandated post-tournament time off.
Whether any of the World Cup stars go to the pre-season tour of Asia, where Maresca will take the squad to Hong Kong and South Korea, depends on their country’s progression in North America.
But do we have an idea on what the Asia tour will look like?
Guardiola’s view on pre-season was that he’d rather players have lengthier rests, often granting longer than the stipulated three weeks, and Maresca’s attitude to that is not yet clear.
Given the tight turnaround, you’d imagine he will want as many of his new charges there as possible. City land back on August 10, six days before the Community Shield against champions Arsenal at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
The timings of City’s trip dictates that any player who exits the World Cup before the quarter-final stage could be on the plane for the first leg of it and a friendly against Inter.
Abdukodir Khusanov certainly will be there, given Uzbekistan’s group-stage exit, but 18 more City stars made it through to the knockout rounds.
Who else could leave?
How long have you got? Nathan Ake is one high-profile name expected to leave amid interest from the Premier League and abroad. Vitor Reis is set to go on tour after a loan spell at sister club Girona in which he impressed despite their relegation from La Liga.
It’s understood that £25m-rated Rico Lewis was mentioned in negotiations surrounding Anderson with Forest and they are still keeping an eye on his situation after getting close to signing the England international last summer. Lewis ultimately signed a new contract but found opportunities severely limited – just 11 Premier League appearances – and is one to watch over the coming weeks.
Tottenham will need to meet City’s valuation of Savinho, thought to be north of £60m, to land the Brazilian winger and appear to be concentrating early-summer efforts on Sandro Tonali at Newcastle United, who City themselves admire.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, Morocco's breakout star at the World Cup, is one of interest. While the Lille midfielder is only 18, City have made serious checks on him, although further midfield movements on top of Anderson for players who can impact the team this season are likely dependent on outgoings.
Mateo Kovacic is considering his options and Omar Marmoush is in the same boat – leaving Maresca and director of football Hugo Viana with big decisions to make. They are thought to be open to listening to offers for Nico Gonzalez.
A Ruben Dias departure cannot be discounted, particularly a reunion with Bernardo Silva at Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid. Josko Gvardiol is signing a new contract after flirting with the idea of leaving the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old winger Mathys Detourbet – a France Under-20 international signed from sister club Troyes – is going straight out on loan to Monaco, with no clauses attached.
What about Rodri's future?
Daily Mail Sport can reveal that Rodri is set to undergo surgery on a mystery injury after Spain’s participation at the World Cup and will miss the start of the season.
It’s understood that rehabilitation will not be a long process but the news is hardly ideal for somebody who has struggled to maintain his fitness since his ACL injury almost two years ago.
Rodri will go under the knife whenever his World Cup is over, with Spain set to face Austria in the round of 32 on Thursday. City declined to comment.
The 30-year-old still has a contract offer on the table from City, although talks are not thought to be active as he enters the final 12 months of his contract. If the new deal remains unsigned on January 1, he will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs to join them for free next summer. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner has had repeated interest from Real Madrid.
Any movement elsewhere?
The academy is undergoing a shake-up, with Elite Development Squad coach Ben Wilkinson’s departure for Derby County to be announced in the coming days.
Wilkinson enjoyed a hugely successful eight years in the academy setup and coached the likes of Lewis and Nico O’Reilly. His work with O’Reilly in particular has been lauded by club sources. The son of ex-Leeds boss Howard turned down chances to be a No 1 lower down the pyramid to take a role in John Eustace’s backroom staff and is set to be tasked with improving Derby in possession as they plot a return to the Premier League.
That has a knock-on effect elsewhere, with highly-regarded Under 18s boss Oliver Reiss stepping up to take charge of the EDS having won the league and Youth Cup double last season. A promotion for Reiss means that Lauris Coggin, who joined from West Ham in 2025 to be Wilkinson’s assistant, will become Under 18s coach.
Head of coaching Jan-Moritz Lichte is leaving, choosing to become assistant manager at Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga.
Daily Mail Sport also understands that rivals Manchester United are attempting to raid City’s academy for two 16-year-old talents.
Xavier Parker, an England international signed from West Ham, was featuring for the Under 18s at 15 and excels in an advanced midfield role. Liverpool have also kept tabs on Parker. Karim Cassim, another with England recognition, is one who United are looking to sign over the summer.