Manchester City are continuing to map out future recruitment despite the uncertainty surrounding the club’s off-field situation, and Brentford right-back Michael Kayode has emerged as a name of genuine interest. According to TeamTalk , City remain active in their long-term planning and are giving serious consideration to one of the Premier League’s most promising young defenders.

The key line from the latest update is that it remains “business as usual” behind the scenes at the Etihad. That phrase says plenty about City’s current mindset. Even with the threat of significant sanctions hanging over the club, the recruitment department appears to be pressing on, assessing profiles, monitoring progress and shaping future windows in the way elite clubs tend to do.

Kayode’s rise has been swift and increasingly difficult for top clubs to ignore. Brentford moved earlier this year to secure the 21-year-old to a new long-term contract, underlining how highly they rate him and how determined they are to keep control of his future. Internally, the message from west London is clear, he is central to their plans.

That has not stopped rival interest building. The report states that Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United “are all keeping a firm eye on Kayode’s progress”, with Juventus also credited with strong interest. His recent Italian national team debut, where he scored, has only elevated the level of attention around him.

There is, however, no current suggestion that the player is pushing to leave. TeamTalk reports that Kayode is “very happy with life in west London” and Brentford’s position is that they “want to keep Kayode and believe he has a major role to play in their long-term plans.”

What sharpens the City angle is the view of Enzo Maresca. The report says the City head coach is believed to “admire Kayode massively”, a notable detail when trying to judge whether interest is exploratory or more serious. Kayode is described as a player who fits the profile City are studying for the future, particularly as they look to strengthen at right-back.

City have also looked closely at Chelsea’s Malo Gusto, who “remains of interest to the club”, which suggests they are weighing multiple options in that position. That is standard practice for a club operating at this level, with due diligence carried out across age profile, tactical suitability, cost and availability.

The wider context remains impossible to ignore. City are appealing after being found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules, with possible outcomes ranging from fines to a points deduction, transfer restrictions and even relegation. Even so, sources close to the club say they are continuing “to do their work on potential recruitment plans” while the process runs on.