Jack Grealish’s Manchester City situation remains unresolved, with the winger absent from the club’s preseason group despite having reported for the start of training this month.

The 2025-26 campaign saw Grealish spend the season on loan at Everton, although an injury in January ended his year early. He is now rebuilding fitness at RCD Mallorca’s facilities in Spain, while the rest of City’s available squad has travelled to Hong Kong to start their tour of east Asia.

Even once he is fully fit, reclaiming a regular place may be difficult. His squad number was reassigned last summer after Rayan Cherki arrived from Lyon, and 2026-27 is the final season of his contract. With Grealish due to earn more than €20 million this season, it would make financial sense for City to secure a sale if he is not expected to play a meaningful role.

A 12-month loan or a permanent move for a modest fee are both possible, though either route would still leave City absorbing a major loss on a player who cost a club-record fee in 2021, around $133.5 million at today’s rate.

There are still clear footballing reasons why interest could exist. Grealish was central to City’s 2022-23 treble-winning side, and Pep Guardiola later said he wanted the old ‘Treble Grealish’ back. He also showed renewed sharpness at Everton, ending August with four assists and collecting the only Premier League Player of the Month award of his career so far.

A return to Everton would not be without logic, especially if the club loses Iliman Ndiaye to Saudi Arabia. Aston Villa could also re-enter the picture after raising substantial funds when City triggered his release clause five years ago. Villa fans have since booed him, but the chance to mend that relationship, and fill a creative and leadership gap left by Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans, may appeal.

Saudi Arabia remains an obvious route for elite players, with Al Ahli mentioned as a possible destination. In Europe, Napoli stands out in Serie A, while AC Milan could also be in the frame if Rafael Leão is sold. Atlético Madrid is another possible fit, given Diego Simeone’s preference for hard-working English players and Grealish’s willingness to work without the ball.

Real Madrid have stepped up their pursuit of Rodri, with reports saying club-to-club talks have now begun with Manchester City.

The move would mark a clear shift in position. Earlier in the window, it was understood that Florentino Pérez did not want to move for the midfielder. That stance appears to have changed, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Madrid have made an official approach and that “verbal discussions” are underway.

Madrid’s summer business has already been extensive. Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries have all arrived, while RB Leipzig wonderkid Yan Diomande is set to join for more than $100 million. Even so, central midfield remained an area to address, with the club seeking a deep-lying controller, a role largely absent at the Bernabéu since Toni Kroos’s exit in 2024.

Rodri has emerged as the obvious candidate. Pérez is said to have approved the deal, and Madrid are prepared to go beyond €50 million ($57 million) for a player who has only one year left on his contract in England.

The Spain captain’s name had featured prominently in the campaign of rival presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who said he would refund all membership fees if he failed to sign both Rodri and Erling Haaland. Pérez, by contrast, had seemed reluctant to engage, despite the appeal of a Madrid-born midfielder who fits a specific need.

Rodri’s stock rose further at the 2026 World Cup, where he broke passing records and won the Golden Ball as Spain triumphed in North America. Recent reports suggest Pérez is now open to the transfer, with the balance of the window and City’s contract position adding pressure to any decision.

With Pep Guardiola also bringing an end to his time at Manchester City this summer, Rodri may see the moment as a natural one to move. If he does not sign the extension currently available, City’s only chances to recover a fee are this window or January.

Rodri has previously spoken warmly about Madrid, telling Cadena SER in 2024: “When Real Madrid call you, the best club in history, the most successful, everything that means … Obviously, it’s an honour and you always have to pay attention, of course.”

Manchester City have reportedly settled terms on the sale of James Trafford, with Leeds United agreeing a package worth $53 million (£40 million) plus bonuses. If completed, the transfer would make Trafford the most expensive British goalkeeper in history.

David Ornstein of The Athletic reported that Leeds have reached an agreement for the England international, who is now expected to move to the Yorkshire club. Newcastle United were also in the picture and had been viewed as Trafford’s preferred option, but they withdrew from the chase and left Leeds clear to move.

The switch would arrive almost exactly a year after Trafford first became England’s most valuable goalkeeper by surpassing Jordan Pickford’s mark. It would also see him go beyond his own previous record.

Trafford’s City spell was shaped by the arrival of Donnarumma, who joined for a cut-price $35 million and kept the starting role. Trafford was restricted to domestic cup appearances, although he still played an important part in City’s FA Cup and Carabao Cup double. His standout moment came in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, when he produced a remarkable triple save early on to keep the game level.

With Donnarumma in place, a summer exit always looked likely for Trafford, and Leeds have now emerged as the club set to benefit. Daniel Farke’s side avoided relegation last season and did so with relative comfort after moving to a back three midway through the campaign. They are now focused on consolidation, and Trafford would be a significant addition.

Karl Darlow has already left this summer, while Lucas Perri remains on the depth chart. Even so, Perri was overtaken by Darlow last season and has not convinced Farke he can become Leeds’ No. 1. Trafford would likely take that role immediately.

The 23-year-old travelled to the World Cup with the Three Lions and is widely seen as England’s goalkeeper of the future. Once the deal is finalised, he will rank as the fifth most expensive goalkeeper in soccer history.