The 46-year-old Italian takes over from Pep Guardiola, who leaves after ten seasons and 20 major trophies. City finished second in the Premier League this season, missing out on the title to Arsenal, and significant departures including Bernardo Silva and John Stones leave gaps to fill across multiple positions.
The I Paper reports that Anderson, 23, is City's primary midfield target. The Nottingham Forest midfielder has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, combining defensive energy with creative output in a role that suits City's press-oriented system. His price tag is understood to be around £100m, with Manchester United also tracking his situation.
At right-back, Manchester City have identified Brentford's 21-year-old Italian international Michael Kayode as the leading option. Kayode joined the Bees on loan from Fiorentina in 2025 before the move was made permanent, and he has attracted attention not only for his defensive solidity but for a long-throw technique that Brentford head coach Keith Andrews has deployed effectively as a set-piece weapon this season.
The third target is Bournemouth forward Junior Eli Kroupi, the 19-year-old French striker who scored 13 goals in 32 Premier League appearances this season and was nominated for the division's Young Player of the Year award.
Kroupi joined from Lorient in January 2025 and was immediately loaned back to the French club before arriving at the Vitality Stadium this summer. He is most recently remembered for the curling 39th-minute strike that gave Bournemouth the lead against City on Tuesday and proved to be the goal that handed Arsenal the Premier League title.
The £200m budget will be supplemented by transfer income from expected departures. Rodri remains a long-term target for Real Madrid under José Mourinho, and the club's wage bill will ease with Guardiola's departure alongside the exits of Bernardo Silva and Stones.