Manchester City plot shock bid for Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister

Manchester City are preparing a bid for Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister following their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, which exposed midfield weaknesses. The potential departure of Rodri has intensified City's need for reinforcements. Manchester United have held talks over signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, who was left out of the French Super Cup squad. Leeds United are set for a busy period with Nico Elvedi arriving from Borussia Mönchengladbach, while Sebastiaan Bornauw heads to Hamburg on loan and goalkeeper Lucas Perri agrees a move to Torino. West Ham, after a blunt attacking display against Burnley, are considering Leeds forward Joel Piroe as an alternative to Troy Parrott, with AZ Alkmaar demanding £21 million for the Irish international. Frank Lampard may return to Chelsea for defender Josh Acheampong, while Tosin Adarabioyo attracts interest from Marseille and Benfica. Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri could join AC Milan after missing the Cardiff match.

Manchester City plot shock bid for Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister
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Published Aug 17, 2026

Topic overview

Briefly

  • Manchester City lost the Community Shield to Arsenal with midfield problems exposed
  • Rodri is close to leaving Manchester City, increasing the need for midfield signings
  • West Ham turned to Joel Piroe after AZ Alkmaar demanded £21m for Troy Parrott

What happened

The summer transfer window is generating significant activity across European football, with several Premier League clubs looking to reshape their squads before the deadline. Manchester City have emerged with a surprising target following their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, where midfield deficiencies were exposed. The club is also facing the potential departure of Rodri, creating an urgent need for reinforcements in the center of the park. Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister has been identified as a solution, and City are expected to formalize their interest with a bid in the coming days. This move would represent a direct raid on a rival club for a key player who has established himself as an important figure at Anfield.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Manchester United are pursuing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, who was notably absent from the French Super Cup matchday squad on Sunday. The young talent has attracted attention from numerous clubs, but United have now entered formal discussions regarding a transfer. West Ham United are also active in the market after a blunt attacking display against Burnley highlighted their need for firepower. The Hammers had identified Troy Parrott as a target, but AZ Alkmaar's valuation of £21 million for the Republic of Ireland international has forced them to consider alternatives, with Leeds United's Joel Piroe now under consideration. Leeds would prefer a permanent sale but may accept a loan arrangement.

Championship side Leeds United are preparing for a busy end to the transfer window with multiple deals being negotiated. Swiss defender Nico Elvedi is set to join from Borussia Mönchengladbach, while Sebastiaan Bornauw will depart for Hamburg on loan. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri has agreed terms with Torino for an initial loan that includes an option for a permanent stay in Italy. Frank Lampard is looking to strengthen his defensive options by targeting Chelsea's Josh Acheampong, with both temporary and permanent moves being considered. Chelsea themselves need to offload fringe players, and Tosin Adarabioyo has attracted interest from Marseille and Benfica.

European clubs are also involved in significant transfer activity. Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri was absent from the squad in Cardiff, and AC Milan are reportedly favorites to secure his signature. The 19-year-old's creative abilities are thought to be better suited to continental football following an underwhelming loan spell at Marseille. Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku is heading out of Milan, with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig showing interest alongside an unnamed Premier League club. The interconnected nature of these transfers demonstrates the complex web of negotiations that characterize the final weeks of the summer window, with clubs across England, Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands all involved in reshaping their squads for the season ahead.

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Updated Aug 17, 2026

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