Kevin De Bruyne and Jack GrealishKevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish
Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish
Manchester City could see several league-winning players moving on to new clubs
Pep Guardiola will be preparing for somewhat of a rebuild in the summer transfer window, as they will need to offload some of their older players who are on big money.
City signed three new players in the January transfer window, and are expected to be just as active in the summer as they aim to build a squad that can battle with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for the Premier League title next season.
But which City players could be on their way out, and which ones are set to stay?
Five Manchester City players who could leave in summer
Firstly, there are three City players whose contracts are due to expire in June, and at least two of them could be set to leave the club, if not all three will leave. Firstly, third-string goalkeeper Scott Carson’s contract is set to expire after he has spent four years at the club. Carson has been a ‘locker room’ player and is expected to retire. He could decide to join the backroom staff once he has retired.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan’s contract is also due to expire as he signed just a one-year deal in the summer when he joined City for his second spell at the club. The 34-year-old has made 25 Premier League appearances this season but looks as though he will become a free agent in the summer.
Carson isn’t the only keeper that could be leaving as Ederson might be playing his final games for City. The Brazilian keeper has been previously linked over a move to the Saudi Pro League, he has just one year left on his contract at City so they could cash in on the goalkeeper.
Kyle Walker is currently on loan at AC Milan, and he looks set to leave City in the summer as his role in the squad has reduced. Either Walker will sign permanently for Milan or he will decide to go elsewhere next season. City have reportedly targeted Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz as a replacement for Walker.
Finally, reports have emerged recently which suggest that City could sell winger Jack Grealish, who has struggled to get regular minutes this season. According to FourFourTwo, a move to AC Milan could be on the cards, but they say that an exit for Grealish is “inevitable”.
Man City players set to leave: Scott Carson, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish.
Four players who could stay at City
One of the biggest storylines regarding Manchester City contracts this season is surrounding midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who has arguably been one of the best City players of all time in his 10-year spell with the club. He was in talks with MLS side San Diego FC for when his contract at City expires in the summer, but that has reportedly broken down. De Bruyne could decide to stay at City and sign a one-year extension as he remains good enough to at least make an impact from the bench.
John Stones is another core City player who has an uncertain future, but reported by Manchester City News, Guardiola said earlier in March: “Next season, John [Stones] will be there,” indicating his plan to keep the 30-year-old. Bernardo Silva could leave the club in the summer, but at the age of 30, and with another year left on his contract, it could be useful for City to keep the Portugal international around as his creative play still has a huge impact.
Finally, James McAtee was linked with a move away in January, with Bayer Leverkusen reportedly keen. However, if City are to offload several players this summer, they may decide that it is important to keep several promising young players, who could break out into the starting XI next year.
City players who could stay: Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Bernardo Silva,James McAtee.
In other news, City and United both have ‘concrete’ interest in a promising young Premier League winger.