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Manchester City could part ways with some huge stars in the summer transfer window
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola became a history-maker in a whole new respect by becoming the first top-flight manager in English football to reach the summit and remain there for four successive seasons, surpassing the achievements of greats such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Bob Paisley, Bill Shankly, Matt Busby and many others greats of the English game.
With Jurgen Klopp gone, in a sense, it looked as if Guardiola had eliminated his main opposition and though Mikel Arteta and Arsenal had been a threat in years gone by, City entered the season as the overwhelming favourites to win a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
However, this season has been a reality check and an ageing City squad Cityzens has already fallen to 14 defeats in 43 matches across all competitions this term. They are out of the title race, out of Europe and have only one form of silverware remaining to fight for after reaching the FA Cup quarter-final.
City entered the season as the eighth oldest team in the league and signs of fatigue and crack in the empire have started to show for the first time in the Pep Guardiola era.
Guardiola’s huge spending spree in January appears to be a sign of things to come as City prepare for a rebuild, but which ageing stars are likely to depart this summer and who could still stay. Here’s all you need to know.
Which goalkeepers and defenders will leave Manchester City?
Scott Carson - released: Veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson has been on the books since 2019 and has managed just one Premier League appearance. He’s 39 and approaching the final months of his contract with little signs of an extension.
Kyle Waker - leaves: Kyle Walker endured a difficult end to the calendar year in a Manchester City shirt before sealing a move to AC Milan on loan until the end of the season.
The once imperious right-back witnessed a sudden decline in his final months which was reminiscent of his team’s dip in form on the pitch. He made it clear in January that he sees his future away from the Etihad and already has a clause in his loan deal which allows Milan to make the deal permanent.
John Stones - leaves:Football Insider understands Manchester City are willing to accept an offer for John Stonesamid concerns about the England international’s injury record.
The ex-Everton star has been a revelation in a City shirt but is not thought to be a part of Pep Guardiola’s plans moving forward with Bayern Munich being credited with interest.
Will Kevin de Bruyne stay at Manchester City?
Kevin de Bruyne - stays: Kevin De Bruyne may not be guaranteed to leave Manchester City this summer after all. The Belgian is currently in the final year of his contract at the Etihad and has been linked with moves to both Saudi Arabia and the MLS after a stark decline in his normally impeccable high standards.
However, with the World Cup on the horizon, reports from the Mirror claim the 33-year-old may accept a new one-year-deal on a reduced salary as he believes playing in the Premier League gives him a better chance of making the Belgium squad next summer.
Ilkay Gundogan - leaves: It hasn’t really worked out for club legend Ilkay Gundogan since returning to Manchester City from Barcelona. The German midfielder, who left the Sky Blues as a legend after scoring in the 2023 FA Cup final and winning the Champions League, has so far looked off the pace, lacking in fitness - and is still yet to find the net in the Premier League.
He signed a one-year-deal which includes the option of an extension, but based on reports from TeamTalk it seems likely that he is heading for Saudi Arabia in the summer.
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Bernardo Silva - stays: Bernardo Silva is under contract until 2026 and is expected to be one of the names that Pep Guardiola keeps hold of to help ease the transition of the rebuild of his team, as reported by City Extra.
Read more: £66m release for player attracts Man Utd & Man City attention as Ruben Amorim goes up against former ally
Related topics:Man CityPep GuardiolaFootball
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