Etihad Intel

Information from inside the game. Just the facts. This account is NOT Hugo Viana's official account and has no connection to him. Turn on notifications.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

One thing worth understanding about Manchester City's approach this summer is that the objective is not simply to replace outgoing players.

The objective is to leave Enzo Maresca with a stronger squad than the one Pep Guardiola leaves behind.

The club's target is a senior group of 18-19 interchangeable elite outfield players, supported by three goalkeepers and supplemented by the academy prospects judged ready to contribute immediately.

The focus is on building a squad where the difference between the strongest XI and the second XI is as small as possible.

Recruitment work has therefore centred around four key positions:

• Central Midfield
• Right Wing
• Right Back
• Centre Forward

This is not a summer being driven by opportunity in the market.

It is being driven by a clearly defined squad-building strategy.

The aim is to create a younger, deeper and more flexible group capable of competing across every competition while maintaining the standards that have defined the club over the last decade.

Viewed through that lens, many of City's decisions over the coming weeks will make considerably more sense.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

In light of this afternoon's 'news' that Florentino Perez has informed City that he is not interested in signing Rodri. This from three days ago on the exact same thing. 👇

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

They have attempted to use Real Madrid to elicit a better contract offer from Manchester City and this has backfired. Madrid and Perez are aware that Rodri's preference is to remain in Manchester, but his agents want him to be compensated with a five year contract at the same level as Erling Haaland's. This offer will not be forthcoming from the Etihad decision makers.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

@expressninja8 Nothing is ever signed until it's signed, but he's the most likely player to join City this summer. Clubs are in negotiations and the player wants the move.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

Manchester City are looking at bringing in two midfielders this summer. That has always been the case with the potential exits of Nico Gonzalez and Tijani Reijnders.

[Austin @expressninja8]

@etihadintel Is tonali an option or is just rumors

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

He’s not for sale this summer and Manchester City will not entertain any offers for him. ⛔️

[Sam Lee @SamLee]

@ahnaeo @Tarunraps @u_Thato It’s definitely possible that he goes, but contract talks are happening with City too. City feel positive. Gvardiol is happy at City/in Manchester but has good options to evaluate. He’ll decide after the World Cup (he basically said most of this himself!)

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

Ornstein's story is interesting in what it doesn't say. Bid rejected. Yes. But also agreement between the two parties that a deal will be done. Neither side will publicly say it, but that's where they are. We advanced it a good few hours before Ornstein reported it.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

When you’re dealing with City this is generally the rubber stamp that everyone has already agreed the deal is getting done. #breakthrough

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

https://t.co/q0eK8iDuWx

[Simon Bajkowski @spbajko]

City stance on Rodri is that he too is under contract and is being counted on for next season after the World Cup

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

Bringing this back this evening. If you understand the game, you know what is a real piece of news and what is just filler. We did say.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

The latest round of stories suggesting Manchester City are "concerned" by Elliot Anderson's £120m valuation are exactly the sort of non-story that fills the summer content vacuum.

Negotiations do not move on a daily basis. Clubs establish positions, agents establish positions, selling clubs establish positions, and then discussions take place over weeks and months. A valuation being reported in June is not a final price, just as a first offer is rarely the last offer.

City have operated this way for nearly two decades.

One of the biggest misconceptions in football is that City simply pay whatever is asked. The reality is almost the opposite. Since the takeover, City have consistently been among the toughest negotiators in the market because they understand the perception surrounding their ownership. Every selling club believes they should pay a premium. City's recruitment teams have spent years trying to resist exactly that.

Kevin De Bruyne is probably the best example. Throughout the summer of 2015 there were constant stories that Wolfsburg wanted more than City were willing to pay, that negotiations were difficult, that the deal was in doubt and that City would not meet the asking price. Yet De Bruyne remained City's number one target throughout the entire window and eventually arrived before deadline day.

The lesson is simple. The existence of a valuation gap does not tell you whether a deal is alive or dead. It simply tells you negotiations are taking place.

If Manchester City genuinely believe Elliot Anderson is the right player, and all indications suggest he is among the club's priority midfield targets, then the process will play out over the course of the summer exactly as these processes always do.

The media need daily updates. Transfers don't work daily.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

When you’re dealing with City this is generally the rubber stamp that everyone has already agreed the deal is getting done. #breakthrough

[David Ornstein @David_Ornstein]

🚨 EXCL: Manchester City submit opening offer to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. #MCFC bid rejected by #NFFC but pursuit ongoing. Club bosses spoke at UEFA dinner last week (no suggestion it was to negotiate deal). W/ @lauriewhitwell @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/ZCZbfRgZLY

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

Right on cue, there's been a breakthrough in the fee negotiations. Every chance things accelerate in the coming 48 hours.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

The latest round of stories suggesting Manchester City are "concerned" by Elliot Anderson's £120m valuation are exactly the sort of non-story that fills the summer content vacuum.

Negotiations do not move on a daily basis. Clubs establish positions, agents establish positions, selling clubs establish positions, and then discussions take place over weeks and months. A valuation being reported in June is not a final price, just as a first offer is rarely the last offer.

City have operated this way for nearly two decades.

One of the biggest misconceptions in football is that City simply pay whatever is asked. The reality is almost the opposite. Since the takeover, City have consistently been among the toughest negotiators in the market because they understand the perception surrounding their ownership. Every selling club believes they should pay a premium. City's recruitment teams have spent years trying to resist exactly that.

Kevin De Bruyne is probably the best example. Throughout the summer of 2015 there were constant stories that Wolfsburg wanted more than City were willing to pay, that negotiations were difficult, that the deal was in doubt and that City would not meet the asking price. Yet De Bruyne remained City's number one target throughout the entire window and eventually arrived before deadline day.

The lesson is simple. The existence of a valuation gap does not tell you whether a deal is alive or dead. It simply tells you negotiations are taking place.

If Manchester City genuinely believe Elliot Anderson is the right player, and all indications suggest he is among the club's priority midfield targets, then the process will play out over the course of the summer exactly as these processes always do.

The media need daily updates. Transfers don't work daily.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

https://t.co/2sfJPeaLSV

[City Xtra @City_Xtra]

#ManCity remain in talks with Chelsea over compensation for Enzo Maresca and a deal is in the hands of each club's respective lawyers. @ManCity are hopeful of an agreement this week.

[@SkyKaveh/@SkySportsLyall]

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

@raducrisanx https://t.co/EmOz64c0nQ

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

An announcement on Enzo Maresca is not imminent.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

@mancobi @raducrisanx He’s not for sale and City won’t entertain offers this summer. Central to Enzo Maresca’s plans.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

Atlético Madrid are seriously pursuing Tijani Reijnders. Strong possibility of a deal being agreed during the World Cup. Enzo Maresca won’t block his exit as he cannot guarantee him minutes. After Savinho, this is the most likely next high profile departure.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

The latest round of stories suggesting Manchester City are "concerned" by Elliot Anderson's £120m valuation are exactly the sort of non-story that fills the summer content vacuum.

Negotiations do not move on a daily basis. Clubs establish positions, agents establish positions, selling clubs establish positions, and then discussions take place over weeks and months. A valuation being reported in June is not a final price, just as a first offer is rarely the last offer.

City have operated this way for nearly two decades.

One of the biggest misconceptions in football is that City simply pay whatever is asked. The reality is almost the opposite. Since the takeover, City have consistently been among the toughest negotiators in the market because they understand the perception surrounding their ownership. Every selling club believes they should pay a premium. City's recruitment teams have spent years trying to resist exactly that.

Kevin De Bruyne is probably the best example. Throughout the summer of 2015 there were constant stories that Wolfsburg wanted more than City were willing to pay, that negotiations were difficult, that the deal was in doubt and that City would not meet the asking price. Yet De Bruyne remained City's number one target throughout the entire window and eventually arrived before deadline day.

The lesson is simple. The existence of a valuation gap does not tell you whether a deal is alive or dead. It simply tells you negotiations are taking place.

If Manchester City genuinely believe Elliot Anderson is the right player, and all indications suggest he is among the club's priority midfield targets, then the process will play out over the course of the summer exactly as these processes always do.

The media need daily updates. Transfers don't work daily.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

An announcement on Enzo Maresca is not imminent.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

Manchester City hold no interest in Morgan Rogers returning to the club.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

Despite reports in The Athletic's deal sheet, Manchester City do not hold any interest in Sandro Tonali. It is extremely unlikely that the Elliot Anderson deal will falter as it is at the stage where structure of fee is being discussed with an acceptance on Nottingham Forest's part that they are going to sell him to City.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

We work in football and as a couple of us are City supporters we decided to open this account because of the amount of fake accounts selling magic beans for engagements. You won't see any Stake ads or Rainbet promotions on here because it's not about making money. It's about informing those who are interested, in the less controversial realities of football transfer windows.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

@OwenRaymond14 Fake news.

[Etihad Intel @etihadintel]

https://t.co/gb0mzSrbL7