Manchester City will look to trim their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
It was reported on Tuesday by the Daily Mail that Man City are set for talks with several big-name players over the coming weeks about their future as Pep Guardiola is keen to work with a smaller squad throughout the upcoming campaign.
The Spaniard took 27 players with him to the United States this summer for the FIFA Club World Cup, with the Manchester club having a total of 32 players on the books.
Jack Grealish was one name left out of the Man City squad, along with Kyle Walker, who are both expected to leave the Etihad Stadium over the coming weeks as they are not part of the plans for next season.
James McAtee is another expected to leave Manchester, but with these exits already well known, here are three alternative players Guardiola should consider selling to trim down his squad.
Ilkay Gündoğan
Ilkay Gundogan playing for Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Ilkay Gundogan returned to Man City last summer on a free transfer after a very successful first stint at the Etihad Stadium, which cemented the German’s status as a club legend; however, the midfielder was one of several stars who struggled during the 2024/25 campaign.
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Guardiola loves the former Barcelona star, previously stating about the 34-year-old via mancity.com: “He’s so intelligent Gundo, so clever and competitive. Under pressure, he handles it without a problem. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever trained in my career in terms of the whole package. He’s top, top class.”
However, Father Time is catching up with the Germany international and with Galatasaray interested in signing Gundogan this summer, the opportunity to offload the veteran star is there.
Man City will be devastated to see the club legend go again, but it is a move Guardiola needs to make to trim down his squad and save some money on wages.
Ederson
Ederson warming up for Manchester City.
Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images
Man City fans were not happy with Ederson after the role the Brazilian star played in the Premier League side’s exit from the FIFA Club World Cup this week, which once again highlighted that the 31-year-old is no longer up to the task of being Guardiola’s number one goalkeeper.
The Brazil international is expected to remain at the Etihad Stadium for the 25/26 season, but the shot-stopper is someone whom Man City should now consider replacing.
Saudi Arabian clubs are interested in Ederson, and selling to the Middle East could see City receive a big transfer fee for the Brazilian star.
Although Guardiola will not trim his squad with this sale, the transfer could result in an upgrade, as Man City were monitoring several goalkeepers ahead of the summer transfer window.
Just like Gundogan, Man City fans will not want to see the club legend go; however, this sale may be necessary if the Manchester club are to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title over the next year.
John Stones
John Stones warms up ahead of Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Man City should consider letting either John Stones or Nathan Ake leave this summer, as Guardiola already has plenty of options at centre-back.
Stones wants to stay at Man City for the 25/26 campaign, but given his recent injury record, the Englishman is the one the Manchester club should consider moving on over the coming weeks, as the centre-back is not reliable enough heading into the new season.
This would help trim Guardiola’s squad down, get a big earner off the books, and it would allow the young defenders in the squad a better chance of playing.
With a year left on his current Man City deal, this is one of the final windows left for the Premier League club to receive a fee for the player, which adds to the many reasons why Guardiola should be planning for the upcoming campaign without Stones.