Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City may be coming to the end of an era
Manchester City are preparing for another big exit at the end of the season.
The Sky Blues have won everything over the past decade or so, having swept six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and a Champions League title – and now, the core of that side are leaving, with Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva and centre-back John Stones the latest to confirm their Eastlands exits.
With the club having recently undergone a rebuild, there may yet be bigger names leaving, too, as the would-be champions prepare for another busy summer.
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After capturing a League Cup in March, City are still chasing a third Treble under manager Pep Guardiola, with an FA Cup final to come at Wembley Stadium and the chance of a ninth Premier League title still a possibility, should Arsenal fail to win their remaining games.
Along with Silva and Stones looking to end their Etihad careers on a high, there could be other big names following, with Rodri linked with an exit, James Trafford and Omar Marmoush likely to demand first-team football and Tijjani Reijnders having failed to settle following a move from Milan last summer.
Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola (C), assistant manager Enzo Maresca (L) and assistant manager Rodolfo Borrell attend a training session
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will be saying goodbye to big stars this summer
Nathan Ake could well be leaving the club, too, with Guardiola allowing the defender to move on with his blessing.
Ake gave a telling interview with Dutch Algemeen Dagblad earlier on this season, admitting that he was unsure about his future but heavily hinting that his time at City would be coming to an end, with the League Cup triumph at Wembley being “a nice ending” to his six years in the northwest.
Now, a report from a fellow Netherlands-based publication, Voetbal International, says that the 31-year-old is nearing a move to Serie A, with Juventus and Roma options after Milan tried to snare him in January.
After joining from Bournemouth following their relegation during lockdown, Ake has been an exceptional signing for City, playing an integral role in 2022/23's Treble at left-back and providing key cover at centre-back, too.
With Nico O'Reilly and Rayan Ait-Nouri having established themselves as on the left now and the likes of Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol options on the left side of central defence, Ake's become ever more of a peripheral figure.
Noni Madueke of Arsenal takes on Rodri of Manchester City and Nathan Ake of Manchester City during the Carabao Cup Final on March 22, 2026 in London, England.
Nathan Ake has been used sparingly this season
The Dutchman has seen just 25 league appearances in the last two seasons after playing 26 and 29 games respectively in 2022/23 and 2023/24, as age and injuries catch up with him.
FourFourTwo understands that Dutch clubs have enquired about a move, too – but Ake's own preference is not to return to his homeland just yet.
The Oranje international is worth €15 million, according to Transfermarkt. City host Brentford this weekend when Premier League action returns.