City’s £116m gamble fuels Valverde probe at Real Madrid

Manchester City have opened an enquiry with Real Madrid about midfielder Federico Valverde after splashing £116 million on Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, valuing the Uruguayan at £84 million as the Blues look to reshape their midfield for the 2026‑27 season.

The exploratory approach, reported from Spain, signals City’s intent to assess Valverde’s availability and test the waters before committing to a formal offer.

City’s scouting department, led by director of football Hugo Viana, has initiated contact with Real Madrid to gauge the situation and understand the Spanish club’s position.

Valverde has been among the most consistent midfielders in European football during his tenure at Real Madrid, yet the 27‑year‑old Uruguayan has endured a turbulent period in the Spanish capital that has left his standing uncertain.

Real Madrid have made it clear they will only consider a Transfer if Valverde actively requests a departure, setting a strict baseline valuation of £84 million for the midfielder, underscoring the difficulty of any immediate move.

Newly‑appointed Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has been emphatic that Valverde is not for sale, insisting he will build his squad around the Uruguayan at the Santiago Bernabeu and envision him as a future captain.

According to journalist Miguel Serrano, relayed by Madrid Universal, Manchester City have approached Real Madrid but have not yet submitted a formal written bid for Valverde, and the club is still evaluating its options.

The interest arrives as Hugo Viana continues to explore midfield targets beyond the headline £116 million arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, a move that represents the Blues’ primary midfield reinforcement for the 2026‑27 campaign.

The enquiry was partly prompted by a recent offer from Real Madrid for Eduardo Camavinga, which did not materialise but opened a line of communication between the two clubs that City used to probe Valverde’s situation.

Enzo Maresca, working alongside Viana, highlighted the opportunistic yet calculated nature of the Blues’ market strategy, noting that unexpected avenues can be as valuable as planned targets.

Valverde’s recent difficulties include a training‑ground altercation with Aurelien Tchouameni that left him hospitalised with a head injury and triggered formal disciplinary proceedings, leaving it unclear whether the Uruguay captain will request a move after a disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign.