Mateo Kovacic is set to remain at Manchester City for the upcoming season after discussions with the club’s leadership, despite having just one year left on his contract and speculation about a potential return to Inter Milan. The Croatian midfielder, who missed most of last season due to injury, expressed his determination to make an impact under new manager Enzo Maresca. Kovacic emphasized that the club continues to value him and that he plans to demonstrate his best performances to secure a regular place in the team.

Kovacis’s decision to stay brings some stability to Manchester City’s midfield options, although uncertainty surrounds the futures of teammates Rodri, who is attracting strong interest from Real Madrid, and other players such as Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez, and academy graduate Rico Lewis. The club is also reportedly pursuing Moroccan talent Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille as part of their efforts to strengthen the squad.

Meanwhile, full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri acknowledged that his first season at Manchester City, following his £31 million transfer from Wolves last summer, did not meet his personal expectations. An ankle injury early in his campaign limited his opportunities and made it challenging for him to displace incumbent left-back Nico O’Reilly. Nevertheless, Ait-Nouri is motivated to prove himself under Maresca and solidify a regular starting role as City aims to reclaim the Premier League title from Arsenal.

Reflecting on his initial year at the club, Ait-Nouri said he was frustrated by his limited contribution but appreciated the experience of training under former manager Pep Guardiola and the team’s success in winning two cups. Almost half of his 20 starts last season came during a consecutive nine-game run from January to March, including key victories at Anfield, St James’ Park, and Elland Road. He also featured in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

As the team undertakes their pre-season tour in Hong Kong, Ait-Nouri expressed optimism about working with Maresca, praising the quality of the training sessions and his confidence in showcasing his abilities on the pitch. Similarly, Rico Lewis, who made only a handful of Premier League appearances last season, acknowledged uncertainty about his future but indicated a readiness to perform when given opportunities under the new coaching regime.

With Maresca now in charge, Manchester City appears poised for a period of adjustment as players seek to earn their places and contribute to the club’s ambitions ahead of the new season.