Maresca says ‘everything is possible’ over Rodri future before Arsenal Community Shield

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says “everything is possible” regarding Rodri’s future, with the midfielder having been linked with a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona during the summer transfer window.

Rodri joined Manchester City’s pre-season camp on Friday as the club prepare to face Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday. His arrival was delayed after he won the World Cup with Spain.

Maresca said he had spoken to Rodri after the midfielder returned to the squad.

“Everything is possible. The transfer window is open, so we can buy and sell players. I saw Rodri today and hugged him warmly. He seems fine, so we will see what happens,” said the City manager.

Barcelona have reportedly made two offers for Rodri, worth 50m and 60m, but both were rejected by Manchester City. The club are understood to want 80m euros for the player.

Maresca also confirmed that Manchester City are hoping to bring in one or two more players before the transfer window closes, although those plans will depend on departures.

“We are looking to add one or two more players during the transfer window, depending on the players who leave,” he said.

Manchester City, the FA Cup holders, will meet Arsenal, last season’s Premier League champions, at Wembley in the Community Shield. The match will be Maresca’s first competitive fixture in charge of City.

The Italian said he regarded the fixture as a final and wanted his side to begin his tenure with a trophy.

“For me, the Community Shield is a cup and a final, so we want to win the match. We will do everything we can to win our first trophy,” said Maresca.

He praised Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta, while insisting City were determined to close the gap and compete with them.

“Arsenal have shown in recent years that they are a great team under Mikel Arteta. Last year they won the league and showed how good they are at this stage, but at the same time we are Manchester City and we will try to reduce the gap to them and compete,” he added.

Maresca said the immediate priority was preparing for the match rather than concentrating on transfer activity or possible departures.

“Now, 48 hours before the final and my first game at this club, my focus is not on players leaving or signings. It is on how we can prepare in the best possible way for the match and try to win it,” he said.

Fernandez and squad changes

Maresca declined to discuss Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who has been the subject of transfer interest and whose club set a deadline of Friday for receiving offers.

“I do not want to talk about players at other clubs. He is a player from another club and I do not think it is right to talk about him, or for other clubs to talk about our players,” said Maresca.

Asked whether City would complete a deal for Fernandez on Friday, he replied: “I don’t think we will make a deal today.”

The manager acknowledged that the squad was going through a period of change, with players who had spent many years at the club having already left or potentially set to depart.

“There is change at this moment and, when the transfer window closes, we have to take responsibility for finding quick solutions for the players and the team,” he said. “We are now at a stage where players who have spent many years here have left, or could leave, and that means change will happen. We will do everything we can.”

Maresca also provided fitness updates on Savinho and Erling Haaland. Savinho missed Thursday’s training session because he was ill, while Haaland had a minor issue behind his ears but was described as being fine.

“Savinho did not take part in training yesterday because he was ill. We will see how he is in training today and then decide. Haaland had something small behind his ears, but he was fine,” said Maresca.

Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has been linked with a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah. Maresca was asked whether Reijnders could find himself in a similar position to Omar Marmoush and goalkeeper James Trafford, who joined City last season but did not play as regularly as they might have expected.

“All the players work and train every day, and at the weekend, when they do not play, they find it difficult to understand why,” he said. “I understand that some of them, after one season, may want to play a little more. It is a normal situation.”

On whether he could persuade Reijnders to stay, Maresca said: “It is difficult to convince players when they are already convinced. I think that when the club, the players and the manager all agree on one view, perhaps that is the best decision for the player to leave.”

Maresca succeeded Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager after Guardiola’s 10 years with the club, during which he won 20 different trophies.