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Transfer Rumours: Man City close in on €100m Bouaddi deal after Rodri agrees Real Madrid move
Updated: 29 Jul 2026 16:14 CDT |
5 min read
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FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 30 July, including the latest updates on Rodri, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Julian Alvarez.
Man City close in on Bouaddi signing
Manchester City are confident they will win the race to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi after closing in on an agreement with Lille for the teenager.
Bouaddi has emerged as a strong target for a number of clubs after impressing at the 2026 World Cup and, while the likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid were interested, City appear to be the frontrunners for his signature.
Sky Sport Switzerland reports that Lille are holding out for the ‘symbolic’ €100 million mark for Bouaddi, while City are only prepared to pay up to €90m fixed, with a fee the only sticking point left in the deal.
Bouaddi is already believed to have agreed a contract until 2031 with City and discussions are continuing at a ‘rapid’ pace, with a deal likely to be closed after Rodri’s expected departure to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid strike Rodri agreement
Rodri is expected to sign for Real Madrid next week after agreeing personal terms with the La Liga side, although a technical hold up could delay the deal.
Transfer reporter Matteo Moreno has revealed that Los Blancos have reached a ‘full agreement’ with Rodri after the midfielder shut down the prospect of talks with Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid are now confident of securing a deal after entering club-to-club talks with City over a fee of around €50m.
However, Real Madrid face the issue of their squad currently being full and completely occupied with sales needed in order to create space to register Rodri if he joins.
Arsenal holding out on Alvarez transfer
Arsenal are remaining patient in the hopes that they can still sign Julian Alvarez this summer as the Atletico Madrid striker’s chances of moving to Barcelona continue to fade.
Alvarez has publicly declared his desire to move to Barcelona but Atletico have no desire to sell their star man to their rivals, making Arsenal a more feasible destination for the forward.
Arsenal have so far opted against making a formal move for Alvarez after being told that the player only wants to join Barcelona but TEAMtalk report that the 26-year-old is ‘keen’ on moving to the Gunners if his dream transfer continues to prove impossible.
Barcelona have reportedly set a deadline of 10 August to try and sign Alvarez otherwise they will move on and Arsenal are prepared to wait for clarity after that date before accelerating towards a deal if they get given the green light to do so.
Chelsea set to miss out on wonderkid
Alajbegovic had been in talks with Chelsea after the Premier League side were given permission to speak to the 18-year-old about a move but Sky Sport Germany report that the player now has a full agreement to join Juventus.
Transfer reporter Nicolo Schira has alleged that Alajbegovic turned down Chelsea due to his reluctance to initially go on loan to affiliate club Strasbourg, with the attacking midfielder wanting a key role in the first team instead.
Juventus have now struck a deal with Leverkusen believed to be worth an initial €33 million, rising to €40m with add-ons and including a sell-on clause.
More rumours
Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande. (A Bola)
Everton are preparing an approach for Celtic defender Alastair Johnson. (The Herald)
Fulham are offering €60m to sign 100% of the rights to Gonzalo Garcia, however Real Madrid are holding out for €30m while keeping a 50% sell-on clause. (AS)
Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek is close to signing for Newcastle after the Magpies opted to meet his €30m release clause. (Diaro do Minho)
Kalvin Phillips is finalising a loan to Sheffield United, with the Manchester City midfielder hoping to get his career back on track. (Manchester Evening News)
