Manchester City stands at a crossroads. After a disappointing 2024-25 season that saw them dethroned as Premier League champions by Liverpool, the Citizens are embarking on one of the most significant squad overhauls in recent memory. With Pep Guardiola still at the helm and new sporting director Hugo Viana settling into his role, the club faces crucial decisions about the future of several key players, including Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, and Ederson.
The summer of 2025 represents more than just a typical transfer window for Manchester City—it’s a complete reimagining of a squad that has dominated English football for the better part of a decade. As the club prepares for the upcoming season, the question isn’t just about who will stay and who will go, but about how City will adapt to a new era of competition both domestically and in Europe.
The Jack Grealish Conundrum: A £100 Million Experiment Under Review
When Manchester City paid Aston Villa a British record fee of £100 million for Jack Grealish in 2021, expectations were sky-high. The English midfielder was meant to be the creative spark that would elevate City’s already formidable attack to new heights. However, after four seasons at the Etihad, Grealish’s time at City appears to be drawing to a close.
The reality is that Grealish has struggled to consistently justify his massive price tag. While he’s had moments of brilliance and contributed to City’s success, his role within Pep Guardiola’s system has often seemed restrictive. The fluid, instinctive playing style that made him a sensation at Aston Villa has been somewhat constrained by Guardiola’s tactical demands, leading to periods of frustration for both player and manager.
Recent reports suggest that Manchester City are actively looking to move Grealish on, with several potential destinations emerging. Newcastle United has been mentioned as a possible suitor, offering Grealish the chance to play regular first-team football in a system that might better suit his natural game. The prospect of a return to Aston Villa has also been floated, though the financial implications of such a move would be significant.
From a tactical perspective, Grealish’s potential departure makes sense for City. The emergence of younger talents and the need for different types of players in Guardiola’s evolving system has pushed Grealish further down the pecking order. His high wages and limited playing time have created a situation where a transfer benefits all parties involved.
The challenge for City lies in recouping a reasonable portion of their initial investment. At 29 years old, Grealish still has several good years ahead of him, but the harsh reality of modern football economics means City will likely have to accept a significant loss on their original outlay. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in big-money transfers, even for clubs with City’s resources.
Kevin De Bruyne’s Departure: The End of a Golden Era
Perhaps the most significant change in Manchester City’s recent history is the departure of Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian maestro, whose contract expired at the end of the 2024-25 season, has been the creative heartbeat of City’s success for nearly a decade. His exit marks the end of an era and presents Guardiola with perhaps his biggest tactical challenge yet.
De Bruyne’s impact on Manchester City cannot be overstated. Since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015, he has been instrumental in the club’s transformation into a global powerhouse. His vision, passing range, and ability to score crucial goals have made him irreplaceable in many fans’ eyes. The statistics speak for themselves: hundreds of assists, crucial goals in big moments, and a trophy cabinet that reflects his immense contribution to the club’s success.
The decision not to renew De Bruyne’s contract appears to be mutual. At 33 years old, the Belgian international was reportedly looking for new challenges, with moves to Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League being heavily speculated. For City, this represents both a financial opportunity and a chance to rebuild their midfield around younger players.
From a tactical standpoint, De Bruyne’s departure forces Guardiola to reimagine his team’s creative processes. The Belgian’s unique ability to dictate games from midfield, combined with his goal threat and set-piece expertise, created a dynamic that will be difficult to replicate. City’s summer recruitment has focused heavily on finding players who can collectively fill the void left by De Bruyne’s exit.
The financial implications of De Bruyne’s departure are also significant. His high wages are now off the books, providing City with additional flexibility in the transfer market. This financial freedom has already been evident in their aggressive pursuit of new talent, with the club reportedly spending over £100 million on new signings.
Squad Restructuring: New Faces and Fresh Tactics
Under the guidance of new sporting director Hugo Viana, Manchester City has moved quickly to address the gaps in their squad. The club has already completed several high-profile signings, including Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Marcus Bettinelli, at a combined cost of over £100 million.
These signings represent a clear strategy from City’s hierarchy. Rather than attempting to find like-for-like replacements for departing stars, the club appears to be building a more versatile, younger squad that can adapt to different tactical approaches. This shift reflects modern football’s emphasis on squad depth and tactical flexibility.
Rayan Cherki’s arrival from Lyon is particularly intriguing. The young French midfielder brings creativity and flair that could help fill the void left by De Bruyne’s departure. His ability to play multiple positions across the midfield and attack aligns perfectly with Guardiola’s preference for versatile players who can adapt to different tactical systems.
Tijjani Reijnders adds another dimension to City’s midfield options. The Dutch international’s work rate and pressing ability make him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s high-intensity style of play. His arrival suggests that City are prioritizing defensive solidity and pressing triggers over pure creativity in their midfield rebuild.
The signing of Rayan Aït-Nouri addresses City’s long-standing need for specialist full-back options. The Moroccan international’s pace and attacking threat from wide positions could provide City with a different tactical approach, particularly against teams that sit deep and defend in numbers.
The Ederson Situation: Goalkeeping Stability Under Question
One of the more surprising developments in City’s transfer saga concerns Ederson, their Brazilian goalkeeper who has been a stalwart between the posts for several seasons. Recent reports suggest that City may be open to offers for Ederson, with Saudi Arabian clubs showing significant interest in his services.
Ederson’s potential departure would represent another significant change for City. The Brazilian has been crucial to Guardiola’s possession-based system, with his distribution and ability to play out from the back being key components of City’s tactical approach. His shot-stopping ability, while sometimes questioned, has generally been reliable at the highest level.
The financial aspect of Ederson’s potential move cannot be ignored. His weekly wages of £100,000 represent a significant portion of City’s wage bill, and his sale would free up both transfer funds and salary space for other signings. The Saudi Pro League’s financial muscle means that City could potentially recoup a substantial fee for the goalkeeper.
However, replacing Ederson presents its own challenges. City’s goalkeeping requirements are specific to Guardiola’s system, requiring not just shot-stopping ability but also exceptional distribution and comfort with the ball at feet. The arrival of Marcus Bettinelli suggests that City are already planning for potential changes in their goalkeeping department, though Bettinelli’s role may be more as a backup option.
Tactical Evolution Under Guardiola
The personnel changes at Manchester City necessitate a tactical evolution under Pep Guardiola. The Spanish manager has built his reputation on adaptability, and the current squad transition provides him with an opportunity to implement new ideas and approaches.
Without De Bruyne’s creative influence, City may need to rely more heavily on collective creativity rather than individual brilliance. This could lead to a more fluid attacking system where multiple players contribute to chance creation, rather than relying on one primary playmaker. The signings of Cherki and Reijnders suggest that City are moving toward this more collective approach.
The potential departure of Grealish also impacts City’s wide play. Guardiola may need to find new ways to create width and stretch opposing defenses, possibly through the deployment of attacking full-backs like Aït-Nouri or by giving more prominent roles to academy graduates.
Defensively, City’s approach may also evolve. The emphasis on pressing and winning the ball back quickly could become even more important without De Bruyne’s ability to control games through possession. This could explain the focus on signing players with strong work rates and pressing triggers.
Financial Fair Play and Strategic Planning
Manchester City’s transfer activities must also be viewed within the context of Financial Fair Play regulations and the club’s long-term strategic planning. The departure of high-earning players like De Bruyne and potentially Grealish and Ederson provides City with significant financial flexibility.
This financial freedom has allowed City to be proactive in the transfer market, completing deals early and securing their preferred targets before other clubs can intervene. The strategy of selling high-earning players while they still have value, rather than allowing them to leave on free transfers, demonstrates shrewd business planning.
The club’s academy system also plays a crucial role in their financial strategy. Players like Rico Lewis, who has emerged as a versatile option for Guardiola, represent both tactical solutions and financial assets. The development of young players provides City with either first-team options or valuable assets that can be sold to fund further transfers.
Competition and Market Dynamics
Manchester City’s transfer activities don’t exist in a vacuum. The club must compete not only on the pitch but also in the transfer market, where competition for top talent is fiercer than ever. The rise of Saudi Arabian clubs has created new dynamics in the transfer market, providing alternative destinations for established players and inflating transfer fees.
The Premier League’s financial strength means that City must compete with other top clubs for the best talent. Liverpool’s recent success in winning the Premier League title has added extra urgency to City’s rebuild efforts. The club cannot afford to fall further behind their rivals, making this summer’s transfer window crucial for their short-term and long-term prospects.
European competitions also play a role in City’s transfer strategy. The Club World Cup and Champions League require squad depth and tactical flexibility, influencing the types of players City target. The need to compete on multiple fronts while managing player fitness and rotation has become increasingly important in modern football.
Academy Integration and Youth Development
One of the most encouraging aspects of Manchester City’s current transition is the integration of academy products into the first team. Players like Rico Lewis have shown that they can compete at the highest level, providing Guardiola with versatile options that understand the club’s tactical principles.
The success of former academy players in other clubs also validates City’s youth development approach. The sale of players like Cole Palmer to Chelsea, while initially controversial, has provided both financial returns and evidence of the academy’s quality. This creates a positive cycle where academy success attracts better young players and provides the club with ongoing financial benefits.
Phil Foden’s continued development represents the ideal scenario for City’s academy system. The English midfielder has grown into one of the club’s most important players, providing both tactical versatility and a connection to the club’s identity. His success story serves as inspiration for other young players in the academy system.
Looking Ahead: The 2025-26 Season and Beyond
As Manchester City prepares for the 2025-26 season, the club faces both challenges and opportunities. The squad rebuild represents a calculated risk, with the potential for both success and failure. Guardiola’s track record suggests that he can successfully integrate new players and develop new tactical approaches, but the scale of the changes means that adaptation may take time.
The loss of experienced players like De Bruyne cannot be underestimated, but it also provides opportunities for other players to step up and take on greater responsibilities. The younger players in the squad may benefit from increased playing time and the chance to establish themselves as key players.
The financial aspects of the rebuild also position City well for future transfer windows. The club’s ability to balance incoming and outgoing transfers while maintaining competitive squad quality demonstrates strong strategic planning. This approach should provide sustainable success rather than short-term fixes.
Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins
Manchester City’s transfer revolution represents more than just player changes—it’s a complete reimagining of one of football’s most successful teams. The departure of established stars like Kevin De Bruyne, combined with the potential exits of Jack Grealish and Ederson, marks the end of an era that has been defined by unprecedented success.
However, this transition also presents exciting opportunities. The integration of new talent, the continued development of academy products, and Pep Guardiola’s tactical evolution could create a new version of Manchester City that is even more formidable than its predecessor.
The key to success will be how quickly the new players adapt to Guardiola’s system and how effectively the manager can implement his tactical vision with a significantly changed squad. The early signs are promising, with the club’s proactive approach to transfers and strategic planning suggesting that this transition has been carefully planned and executed.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, Manchester City fans have reason for both nostalgia and optimism. While they bid farewell to players who have defined the club’s recent success, they also welcome a new generation of talent that could write the next chapter in the club’s illustrious history. The challenge now is to ensure that this new chapter is as successful as those that came before it.
The revolution at Manchester City is not just about changing players—it’s about evolving as a club, adapting to new challenges, and maintaining the standards of excellence that have become synonymous with the Citizens. Only time will tell if this ambitious transformation will achieve its goals, but the foundations have been laid for another era of success at the Etihad Stadium.
