Manchester City could spend close to £200 million on two reinforcements as Premier League champions kick into action

Officials at the Etihad Stadium are kicking into life this summer with two big-money deals well and truly in the works for Manchester City.

A new week brought about our first confirmed departure from the Premier League champions, with all parties announcing the transfer of Ilkay Gundogan to FC Barcelona on a free transfer, bringing an end to his seven-year stay at the club.

But it was the prospect of two big-money incomings that have got supporters and the wider football community talking, as Manchester City officially placed themselves into a head-to-head battle with Arsenal for the signature of Declan Rice.

As we enter into the third week of the summer transfer window, here is your daily and comprehensive coverage of Manchester City in the market!

Arrivals

Manchester City have sent a formal bid to West Ham for Declan Rice, proposing a deal worth £80 million plus £10 million in add-ons. (David Ornstein, The Athletic)

Arsenal will respond to Manchester City’s official bid for Declan Rice with a third proposal of their own, having seen two bids rejected in recent weeks. (Fabrizio Romano)

Indications on Monday night were that West Ham were minded to reject Manchester City’s opening offer for Declan Rice. (Sami Mokbel, Simon Jones – MailSport)

Declan Rice met Pep Guardiola towards the end of last season and sources on Monday night were suggesting that Manchester City would find a way of getting the deal done. (Jacob Steinberg, Guardian)

RB Leipzig want at least €100 million for Manchester City target Josko Gvardiol. (Simon Stone, BBC Sport)

RB Leipzig will let Josko Gvardiol leave if they receive £78 million plus bonuses, which could take the deal to around £85 million. Manchester City have indicated they are ready to table a £68 million bid but have been warned that will not be enough. (Charlie Wyett, The Sun)

Manchester City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain is understood to have already met with Josko Gvardiol‘s representatives regarding a potential Manchester City transfer. (Charlie Wyett, The Sun)

Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City is expected to be officially announced in the coming days. (MailSport)

Mateo Kovacić‘s Manchester City contract will be valid until June, 2027. (Fabrizio Romano)

Departures

Riyad Mahrez will be offered £43 million per year plus bonuses by Al-Ahli for a two-year contract. Mahrez is interested in ending his career in Saudi Arabia, but is uncertain about leaving Manchester City this summer having just won the Treble. (Chris Wheeler, MailSport)

Manchester City do not want to sell Riyad Mahrez. (Santi Aouna)

A decision from Kyle Walker on his future is expected ‘soon’. Manchester City offered the full-back a new contract last week and ‘keep insisting’ towards getting the green light, while Bayern Munich are pushing to sign the defender. (Fabrizio Romano)

Ilkay Gundogan has joined FC Barcelona on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract with the option for a further year. The deal includes a €400 million release clause. (Official)

There has been a feeling at Manchester City that if they offered Ilkay Gundogan two guaranteed years, he would have chosen to stay. The general feeling is ‘they did what they can within business limits’ they set themselves. Gundogan earned the right to receive a pay rise next season, but City did not want to commit to a multi-year deal with a player turning 33 in October. (Pol Ballus, The Athletic)

Sources close to Ilkay Gundogan say there was no bigger reason behind choosing to leave Manchester City than a desire to live a new experience. Gundogan believes City are the best team in the world, but Barcelona were also able to convince him on the football side. (Pol Ballus, The Athletic)

Palermo are interested in making a move for Manchester City’s Carlos Borges. (Mediagol Palermo, La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Confirmed Deals

Enzo Maresca to Leicester City (Undisclosed terms)

Ilkay Gundogan to FC Barcelona (Free transfer)