Camavinga's stay stalls Manchester City’s £116m midfield push

Manchester City’s £116 million capture of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest underscores their midfield spending, but France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has told his agent he intends to remain at Real Madrid next season. The 23‑year‑old, praised for his versatility across midfield and left‑back, is linked with a move to the Etihad but his clear stance threatens any summer transfer.

Real Madrid are reported to be willing to sell Camavinga as part of a wider squad reshuffle at the Santiago Bernabeu. The club’s openness has sparked interest from several European sides, with Manchester City among those named.

However, Camavinga has communicated a “very clear intention” to his agent that he wants to stay at Real Madrid, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. He also said he feels he can have a future and career at Los Blancos and aims to be part of Jose Mourinho’s squad for the 2026‑27 campaign.

Manchester City’s director of football Hugo Viana has identified adaptable midfielders as a priority in the market, and Camavinga’s ability to operate across midfield and at left‑back matches that profile. The French international’s versatility has made him a natural fit for the kind of player Viana is seeking.

Enzo Maresca, overseeing Manchester City’s midfield rebuild, has outlined ambitions that include signing adaptable, technically accomplished midfielders. While Camavinga’s stance closes that door, City have confirmed a club‑record £116 million acquisition of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and continue to monitor Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The firm position taken by Camavinga therefore represents a setback for Manchester City’s immediate plans to bolster their midfield with the French midfielder. The club will now look elsewhere to achieve the flexibility required by Viana’s system.