Manchester City have undergone major changes this summer following Enzo Maresca’s arrival as manager.
Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Kalvin Phillips and John Stones have all departed during the overhaul.
City responded by signing Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson, Mathys Detourbet, Gerónimo Rulli and Jeremy Monga as they rebuilt Maresca’s squad.
Their side began the Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.
Guehi and Josko Gvardiol scored late goals after City had fallen behind during the first half.
Despite those additions, City remain focused on strengthening midfield before the transfer window closes.
Enzo Fernandez has emerged as their leading target, with Maresca keen to reunite with the Chelsea midfielder.
City remain interested in the Argentina international, although negotiations with Chelsea have yet to produce a breakthrough.
That lack of progress has forced the Cityzens to consider other possibilities before the deadline.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Manchester City have explored the conditions required to sign Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
The 27-year-old has therefore emerged as an alternative while City wait for developments in their pursuit of Fernandez.
However, convincing Liverpool to sell one of their key midfielders would represent a challenge for City.
Liverpool consider Mac Allister an important part of Andoni Iraola’s midfield and have no obvious reason to sanction his departure.
Even a huge offer could face resistance because City would be asking a direct rival to weaken its squad.
The Guardian reports that City could still pursue Fernandez despite Chelsea’s earlier deadline for offers having already passed.
Maresca wants more experience and leadership after a summer that significantly changed the structure of City’s squad.
City are also considering Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo after losing Savinho and Omar Marmoush from their attacking options.
Liverpool currently have no desire to sell Gakpo either, making another potential deal difficult to complete.
Fernandez remains City’s more advanced midfield target, but Mac Allister has now entered their thinking as an alternative.
.@ManCity are still interested in pursuing Cody Gakpo and active on Enzo Fernandez deal, but have also explored conditions for @LFC midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as no breakthrough has been reached with @ChelseaFC for Enzo yet, as things currently stand. @SkySport
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) August 27, 2026
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