Manchester City’s current focus in the transfer window is trimming the number of players they have at the club.
Pep Guardiola made it clear towards the end of last season that he does not want to work with a big squad throughout the 25/26 campaign, and having successfully parted ways with Kyle Walker, there are still many other stars with uncertain futures at the Etihad Stadium.
Jack Grealish’s future is yet to be decided, while John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, and James McAtee could all leave City before the transfer window shuts.
When it comes to the younger members of Guardiola’s squad, Claudio Echeverri and Vitor Reis could be sent out on loan.
The Premier League club are also open to sales, and Bayer Leverkusen have just agreed a fee for one of the English giants’ wingers.
Farid Alfa-Ruprecht in action during Manchester City U21 v Stoke City U21.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Farid Alfa-Ruprecht ready to join Bayer Leverkusen
Farid Alfa-Ruprecht has been with Man City since 2022, as the youngster joined the Premier League club’s academy from Hamburger SV, but the winger never made a senior appearance under Guardiola.
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The 19-year-old did make the bench for City’s Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham last season, which was a reward for his impressive season with Man City’s U21, where the winger produced 10 goals and four assists across 19 appearances.
Alfa-Ruprecht is clearly a talent, hence why Bayer Leverkusen are now set to sign the German star, as the Bundesliga club have now agreed a £5m package with Man City for the youngster, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The winger is set to sign a long-term deal with Leverkusen, and the big bonus for City is the 40% sell-on clause they have included in the contract.
🚨🔴⚫️ EXCL: Bayer Leverkusen agree deal to sign Man City talent Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, here we go! ✨
£5m package agreed with #MCFC for 19 year old winger to join Leverkusen on long term deal.
❗️ Understand Man City will have 40% sell-on clause. pic.twitter.com/5XcvgbATXq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2025
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40% is a big sell-on clause to have in a contract, and if Alfa-Ruprecht goes on to become a star in Germany, Man City could end up getting a large sum of money somewhere down the line.
The 19-year-old will be excited about returning to his home nation, but the City star may not be happy with who Bayer Leverkusen are about to sign.
Johan Bakayoko could ruin Farid Alfa-Ruprecht’s progress
Following the sale of Florian Wirtz to Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen have been looking to strengthen their squad significantly this summer.
Erik ten Hag is a fan of James McAtee, and the English star is one target the Bundesliga club have, as Germany remains an option for the Man City midfielder.
Fabrizio Romano is also reporting that Bayer Leverkusen have a genuine interest in PSV Eindhoven star Johan Bakayoko, with Ten Hag keen to add the 22-year-old to his squad ahead of the new season.
🚨🔴⚫️ Bayer Leverkusen have genuine interest in Johan Bakayoko as new winger for Erik ten Hag, as there’s currently no chance for Alejandro Garnacho deal to happen.
There are several clubs keen on signing Bakayoko but Leverkusen are interested, as @AxelHesse1 reports. pic.twitter.com/5exAJY5J0x
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2025
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This would be bad news for Alfa-Ruprecht as Bakayoko is also a right-winger, and is more likely to start in that role on the first day of the season.
The Man City star is likely moving back to Germany in search of more senior minutes, and the arrival of the Belgian could have a big effect on the 19-year-old’s progress.