Manchester City are pushing to get transfers done before the deadline on Tuesday evening because Pep Guardiola wants new signings to feature at the Club World Cup
Manchester City are wasting no time in getting deals done in the transfer window – and it’s one down, two to go before the first summer deadline.
Pep Guardiola’s side have already got one deals done in the window, having announced the signing of Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri on Monday for £36million. The 23-year-old Algerian left-back has signed a five-year deal with City and will be able to play in the Club World Cup, which starts on Saturday.
When Tuesday began, City were racing to conclude three other deals ahead of their first match at the inaugural summer tournament, against Wydad AC in Philadelphia next Wednesday. Guardiola is plotting a major overhaul of his squad after signing a two-year contract extension earlier this year and the club are matching his ambitions.
One of those deals – perhaps the least sexiest in the eyes of fans – is done. Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has joined from Chelsea for a nominal fee. He joins to be third choice after Scott Carson left City following six years with the club. The 39-year-old only played twice for Guardiola’s side but was a much-loved member of the squad.
Bettinelli said: “It’s an honour to sign for City. I have admired from afar what this club has achieved since Pep Guardiola arrived. Now I’m excited to be a part of building on that success. I can’t wait to work with Pep, Xabi Mancisidor and the excellent goalkeepers already here and see their methods up close.
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea deal OFF, Man Utd chase Gyokeres, Arsenal agreement, Liverpool latestREAD MORE: Rayan Ait-Nouri completes transfer as Manchester City beat deadline to sign Wolves star
“Hopefully I can contribute in training, the dressing-room and on the pitch as we look to win more silverware over the next year.”
City are hopeful of also wrapping up deals for Lyon star Rayan Cherki and AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders before the close of play on Tuesday.
Guardiola wants Cherki available to feature in the United States next week and has pushed for the £34m transfer to get done. Cherki enjoyed an eye-catching 2024/25 campaign for Lyon, grabbing 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 appearances, and has been promoted to the France senior side.
He made his debut as a substitute on Thursday, scoring in the 5-4 Nations League defeat to Spain and is now hoping to get his transfer signed off. The 21-year-old attacker will be joined at the Etihad Stadium next season by Netherlands international Reijnders.
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City have already agreed a £45m transfer fee with Milan for Reijnders, who will put pen to paper on a five-year deal worth £200,000 per week. The 26-year-old was the star player for Milan during a poor campaign and is leaving Serie A two years after joining the club from AZ Alkmaar in his home country.
Bettinelli, 33, had been with Chelsea since 2021, performing a similar role to Carson’s, having played just once at Chelsea – a 5-1 FA Cup third-round win over National League side Chesterfield in January 2022.
He will become the new third-choice ‘keeper, behind long-term first-choice Ederson and backup Stefan Ortega.
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