Gundogan and Stones Commit as Pep Plans Squad Trimming
While much of the transfer chatter centres on arrivals, Manchester City’s most significant developments this week revolve around two veterans opting to stay put. Ilkay Gundogan, after being linked with a move to Galatasaray — a link The Athletic can verify — quashed the speculation by stating, “he believes he will stay at the club this summer” following City’s emphatic 6-0 Club World Cup win over Al Ain.
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John Stones echoed that sentiment, reaffirming his commitment to the Etihad just as Pep Guardiola prepares to trim what he calls an “overloaded” squad. Behind the scenes, decisions loom over prospects like Claudio Echeverri and Vitor Reis, both of whom could be sent out on loan, depending on defensive movement elsewhere.
Right-Back Vacancy Remains an Open Wound
For a club known for depth in every department, right-back remains an uncharacteristic soft spot. Guardiola’s own reflections were telling: “he never would have believed Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly would have ended up playing full-back.” With Rayan Ait-Nouri arriving for the left side, attention naturally pivots to the opposite flank.
Enter Wesley, Flamengo’s precocious right-back, who has already flirted with Brighton and Juventus interest. Alongside him in City’s sights is Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, currently shining with England Under-21s. His price tag will not be modest, and Newcastle’s reluctance to part ways is evident.
Still, Livramento’s stock continues to rise. Admired by Tuchel and labelled by pundits as a “future England captain”, he’s clearly being groomed for the highest level. “Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott say he will thrive at the very top” — and it’s hard to disagree.
Departures Inevitable as Guardiola Eyes Leaner Unit
Guardiola is blunt about the current imbalance: “We have, right now, too many players… maybe a few players are going to move.”
Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish are the headline names potentially heading for the exit, while James McAtee’s future remains tethered to his England U21 campaign. The manager doesn’t hide his discomfort: “The problem is that they will be unhappy during the season. They will be sad, they will be disappointed. I don’t want that.”
With 32 players already in the tournament squad — not including the four senior players left at home — departures are inevitable. Guardiola’s philosophy demands happiness in the group, and there is simply not enough game time to go around.
Future of Youth Hinges on Outgoings
The conundrum extends to the club’s young talent. Players like Oscar Bobb, O’Reilly and Echeverri have already proven they belong in elite environments. But if senior exits don’t happen, loan spells may be the only logical route. City’s youth system remains a pipeline of promise — but opportunity is becoming the rarest commodity.
In a summer where Guardiola has already acted quickly in the transfer market, all eyes now fall on exits and one crucial entrance: a specialist right-back.
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There’s a buzz of cautious optimism. Seeing Gundogan and Stones doubling down on their futures is music to our ears — both are serial winners who bring calm and quality. And the idea of Tino Livramento joining the squad? That gets the blood pumping. He’s got that blend of flair and defensive awareness we’ve sorely lacked on the right.
But Pep is right to be worried. We’ve got too many bodies and not enough slots. Having 30-plus players sounds powerful on paper but can fracture dressing room morale if mismanaged. Walker and Phillips leaving feels inevitable, and Grealish? If he doesn’t fit the system anymore, perhaps it’s time.
The rise of young stars like Bobb and Echeverri is thrilling, but if they’re not playing, they’ll stagnate. A smart loan move might be best for now, as long as they’re not lost to the system.
All in all, it feels like one of those pivotal summers. Solve right-back and trim the fat — and we could be heading into the new season in Pep-perfect shape.