Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is eyeing some big changes at The Etihad in the summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola has arguably experienced his toughest ever campaign in football management in charge of Manchester City this season.
The Man City manager has has to contend with a huge slump in form from many of his key players at the Etihad this term.
In fact, the drop-off at City has been so severe that Pep’s future at the club has actually been called into question.
Whilst those claims may be wide of the mark, he is said to be planning a big clear-out with as many as eight players thought to be up for sale this summer.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
With numerous players set to leave Manchester City, Pep will obviously have to bring in some top-class signings during the off-season.
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And if Guardiola makes one signing in particular, it could mean the end for one City player who’s played 143 games for the club.
Manchester City plot exciting move for AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez
It seems like Pep is ready to go hard on strengthening his defensive ranks this summer.
The Man City boss brought in young talent Abdukodir Khusanov in January, but now he’s apparently on the look-out for more experience.
According to a report from Caught Offside, Manchester City want to sign AC Milan star Theo Hernandez in the summer.
Milan have decided to sell the 27-year-old, who will be out of contract at the San Siro in the summer of 2026, and are said to be demanding a fee worth around £30-33 million.
Described as ‘unstoppable’ by Milan News, Hernandez is an elite defender. He’s just as important in the final third as he is defensively.
The Frenchman can play as a left-back or as a left-side centre-back. He’s an experienced winner as well, having triumphed in the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2018.
Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images
Hernandez won the Serie A title with AC Milan in 2022 as well.
And if Pep does bring him to the Etihad, one long serving City player could well be finished at the club.
Nathan Ake is finished at Man City if Theo Hernandez comes in
Man City defender Nathan Ake recently underwent surgery to repair a broken foot following an injury he picked up against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
Pep signed the 30-year-old from Bournemouth in the summer of 2020 for around £40 million (BBC).
He has been a solid performer for the Cityzens throughout the past five years, but his injury record leaves a lot to be desired.
Ake has missed 61 games and 237 days through groin, calf, hamstring and foot injuries since moving to the Etihad (Transfermarkt).
The best attribute in football is availability, and Pep Guardiola has always championed the need for his top-class players to remain fit throughout the course of a season.
If Manchester City do sign Theo Hernandez this summer, Nathan Ake will most likely be moved on because he’s simply not reliable enough from a fitness perspective.
He will be out of contract at The Etihad in the summer of 2027, so City should be able to recoup a decent fee for him.