Man City decide on first two signings under Enzo Maresca as private talks held

Manchester City have decided on their first two signings under the management of Enzo Maresca, it has been reported.

Maresca is set to replace Pep Guardiola, who is expected to leave the club this summer after 10 years in charge, as manager.

The Italian left Chelsea in January and has been out of work since then, but the 48-year-old has been widely tipped as Guardiola's successor for several months and worked under the Spaniard as head coach of City's under-21 side between 2020 and 2021.

Maresca is said to have reached a verbal agreement with City on a three-year contract to replace Guardiola.

Guardiola, who has one year left on his contract, has yet to officially announce his departure and told Sky Sports that he would hold talks with his players, staff and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak before any announcement is made.

But The Athletic report that Maresca has already been involved in behind-the-scenes talks over City's transfer plans this summer.

He is said to be 'collaborating closely with sporting director Hugo Viana for pre-season, the new campaign and beyond in preparation to take over'.

Man City make first major Enzo Maresca decision

Now, the i Paper have expanded further on the exact nature of those transfer plans, claiming that City plan to spend up to £200 million this summer to avoid similar struggles to those that Manchester United faced after David Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson.

They report that Viana, who arrived at City from Sporting Lisbon last summer to replace Txiki Begiristain, has 'impressed several sources' and is 'well-liked' across world football.

It is noted that he has even already drawn up a succession plan for life beyond Maresca, alongside three key targets to sign for his soon-to-be new manager.

Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson is said to be closing in on a move to the Etihad Stadium, with negotiations said to be 'well advanced'.

The 23-year-old, who is likely to be named in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad on Friday, has long been linked with a move away from Forest and is set to move despite Vitor Pereira's side managing to avoid relegation.

Elliot Anderson is close to joining Manchester City (Image: Getty)

City are also set to accelerate plans to sign a new right-back, and have identified Brentford's Michael Kayode as their number one target.

The Italy youth international has performed strongly both in defence and in carrying the ball forward under Keith Andrews, while he possesses a remarkable long throw that has been a unique asset in the Bees' attacks.

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Kayode turns 22 this summer and has been linked with a move to Juventus, though has stated he is not planning to return to Italy.

He signed for Brentford last summer from Fiorentina after a successful loan spell.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi - who scored the goal that effectively cost City a chance at the Premier League title in their 1-1 draw on Tuesday - has been identified as a long-term target under Maresca.

But the Frenchman is not available for sale until at least next summer as Bournemouth prepare for a first-ever European campaign under new manager Marco Rose, who will replace the departing Andoni Iraola.