AC Milan are keeping tabs on Phil Foden, according to Tuttosport, in a rumour that would send one of England’s most technically gifted players to Serie A. The 26-year-old Manchester City midfielder has spent his entire career at the Etihad, making any exit a genuine shock to English football. Elsewhere in Sunday’s gossip, Tottenham remain confident of signing Savinho and Real Madrid have ruled out a move for Rodri. Here is what each story actually means, and how it affects the England picture after the 2026 World Cup.
Foden to Milan: the Leao condition
AC Milan are monitoring Phil Foden, the 26-year-old England midfielder, according to Tuttosport, but the deal comes with a hard condition attached. The Rossoneri would only be able to move for Foden if they first sell Rafael Leao, the 27-year-old Portugal forward, to generate the necessary funds.
That caveat matters more than the interest itself. Serie A clubs operate under tight financial constraints and rarely commit to a marquee wage without a major sale first, which means the Foden story stays dormant until Leao’s future is resolved.
Manchester City hold every card here. Foden is a homegrown academy graduate under long-term contract, and City have no obligation to sell a player who has been part of their first team since his teens.
What a move abroad would mean for England
For England, the relevant number is minutes, not the league badge. A regular starter in Serie A serves the national team better than a rotation option in the Premier League, and Foden’s international standing has always tracked his club rhythm rather than his club’s trophy count.
Serie A would also stretch him tactically. Italian football demands positional discipline and rewards players who can operate in tight central spaces, an environment that has historically sharpened English attackers who made the move.
The competition for England’s attacking midfield places remains fierce heading towards Euro 2028. Any player who drops out of weekly first-team football risks losing ground fast in a squad with genuine depth in the final third.
Tottenham confident on Savinho
Tottenham remain confident of signing Savinho, the 22-year-old Brazil winger, from Manchester City, according to Fabrizio Romano. Spurs have spent several windows searching for a direct one-versus-one wide player, and the left-footed Brazilian who cuts in from the right fits that brief precisely.
No agreement has been signed. City set the price and feel no pressure to sell, which leaves the fee as the sticking point rather than the player’s willingness to move.
From Savinho’s perspective the logic is straightforward: guaranteed starts. In City’s crowded forward rotation he has rarely strung together an extended run in the first eleven across a full campaign.
Real Madrid cool on Rodri
Real Madrid have no intention of signing Rodri this summer, per The Athletic. The 30-year-old Spain midfielder and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner had been the most persistent link to the Bernabeu midfield, but the club have shut the speculation down.
Age and price drive the decision. Madrid’s recruitment model favours younger players with resale value, and a record fee for a 30-year-old coming back from a serious knee injury runs against that policy.
The knock-on effect reaches the Premier League. With Madrid out, the market for elite defensive midfielders cools, and City retain the player who anchors their entire structure.
FAQ
Is Phil Foden leaving Manchester City?
There is no indication of an imminent exit. AC Milan are keeping tabs on the 26-year-old according to Tuttosport, but any approach depends on the Italian club selling Rafael Leao first, and City are under no pressure to sell an academy graduate.
Why do AC Milan need to sell Rafael Leao?
The 27-year-old Portugal forward represents Milan’s most valuable saleable asset. Serie A clubs typically fund major arrivals through outgoing transfers, so the Rossoneri would need that sale to cover both the fee and the wages for a signing of Foden’s profile.
Are Tottenham signing Savinho?
Tottenham are confident of completing the deal for the 22-year-old Brazil winger, according to Fabrizio Romano, but nothing is signed. Manchester City set the asking price and that fee remains the main obstacle.
Have Real Madrid given up on Rodri?
Yes. The Athletic report that Madrid have no intention of signing the 30-year-old Spain midfielder this summer, with his age and the fee City would demand both weighing against a move.
How do these transfers affect England’s Euro 2028 plans?
Regular first-team football is the deciding factor for selection. Players who secure guaranteed starts, whether in the Premier League or abroad, protect their place in a squad with substantial depth in attacking midfield.
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