Manchester City may have just been forced to do something they did not want to do during the final week of the transfer window by Arsenal.
This summer has been a busy one for Man City, with James Trafford being the sixth signing added to Pep Guardiola’s squad, and more could arrive before the end of this week, depending on outgoings.
Although the Manchester club have strengthened ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, so have their title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool, who have both added some impressive stars to their ranks over the summer months.
The transfer activity of Arsenal, in particular, has caught the attention of Man City’s hierarchy, and that may have an impact on how the rest of this week plays out for the Manchester side.
Pep Guardiola looking concerned during Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Man City have been put under pressure by Arsenal
Arsenal confirmed the signing of Eberechi Eze last weekend with the Englishman being the Gunners’ seventh new addition, but Mikel Arteta does not plan on stopping there, as Piero Hincapie could still move to the Emirates Stadium before the transfer window shuts.
According to transfer journalist Dean Jones, this has put Man City’s hierarchy under pressure to make signings this week that they didn’t really want to have to make, as they were happy with the additions they have already brought to the Etihad Stadium.
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“Man City feel under pressure by what Arsenal have actually done in this transfer window,” Jones said on Ranks FC.
“They’ve been pushed to consider signings that they didn’t really want to have to make in these final days of the transfer window because of what Arsenal have done and because of what Liverpool have done so far.”
One of these transfer moves could be to sell Savinho to Tottenham and bring in Rodrygo from Real Madrid, which is not a scenario everyone at the Manchester club is on board with, as they have high hopes for the 21-year-old.
However, it would be a statement from City, who have a tough job on their hands of winning the Premier League this season.
A happy Mikel Arteta during Wolves vs Arsenal
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
How Man City’s transfer window compares to Arsenal
Man City have added six new players to their squad during the current transfer window, which is one less than Arsenal, with the Gunners also outspending the Manchester club.
According to Transfermarkt, the North London club have splashed out £253m over the last few weeks, which is around £100m more than City, who have spent £153m.
Only Liverpool have outspent Arsenal, with £293m being forked out on new stars, but the Reds have also brought in a lot of money from player sales, receiving large fees for the likes of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
Man City signed Tijjani Reijnders as part of a £48m deal with AC Milan this summer, which is the highest the Manchester club have paid for a player ahead of the new season.
As for Arsenal, the £68m they paid Crystal Palace for Eze is their highest acquisition, followed by the £60m for Martin Zubimendi.
The North London club have really made a statement ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and it remains to be seen if it results in winning the Premier League in May.