Como and Manchester City agree on eight-figure fee for midfielder transfer | OneFootball

Manchester City have finalised an agreement over yet another big-money sale in the ongoing summer transfer market, according to new developments.

Pep Guardiola’s midfield has already undergone surgery this summer following the notable departure of Kevin De Bruyne, who has joined Napoli on a free transfer after agreeing a two-year deal with the Italian champions.

A lack of legs, pace and creativity in the middle of the park was a major frailty for Manchester City last season, when they recorded their lowest points-tally (71) in the Premier League under Guardiola with a third-place finish – behind Liverpool and Arsenal.

Bernardo Silva is sure to stay and has been appointed club captain by Guardiola, with former skipper Kyle Walker joining Burnley for a deal that could be worth £5 million as the out-of-favour England international entered the final year of his Manchester City contract.

Kalvin Phillips has returned after being relegated with Ipswich Town whilst on a season-long loan last term, with the 29-year-old also expected to find a new club – either on loan or a permanent basis – as he does not feature in Guardiola’s plans.

Rodri returned to action in a 3-1 win over Bournemouth in May after a 10-month spell on the sidelines courtesy of an ACL injury sustained against Arsenal in September 2024, though the current Ballon d’Or holder suffered an injury setback – the full extent of which remains unknown – at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States a few weeks ago.

Jack Grealish also faces an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium after being in and out of Guardiola’s starting XI last season. The former Aston Villa captain is expected to find a new club for the new campaign to rescue his England career ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

After overseeing the arrival(s) of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki already this summer, newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana is believed to have set his sights on trimming the wage bill and streamlining Guardiola’s bloated squad to challenge on all fronts in the 2025-26 campaign.

According to the information of Fabrizio Romano, Italian side Como have now reached an agreement with Manchester City over a deal for Argentine midfielder Maximo Perrone, with a deal now deemed as a ‘Here We Go’.

It is confirmed after a season-long loan with Cesc Fabregas’ side, the midfielder will stay on a permanent deal from the Etihad Stadium for a €13 million transfer fee, and as a result talks for an alternative midfield transfer candidate – Marseille’s Valentin Rongier – have now stopped.

City have secured a significant financial windfall from a number of lucrative sales of fringe first-team players over the years, with further departures also expected to play a role in the club’s decision to re-enter negotiations with Newcastle for Valentino Livramento.

Livramento, 22, has three years remaining on his current deal at St. James’ Park and is believed to be Manchester City’s top target to replace Walker at right-back, which is a position where City desperately need cover in if they are to challenge for major trophies next term.