Journalist claims seven Manchester City stars have been asked to find an exit this summer
Journalist claims seven Manchester City stars have been asked to find an exit this summer according to new reports. The latest information comes as the Premier League champions are widely expected to undergo further changes to their first-team squad during the summer months despite five new arrivals into the team following the turn of the year. Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis were brought in by Hugo Viana and Txiki Begiristain during the January transfer window to bolster the defensive positions while Nico Gonzalez would arrive on deadline day to come into the midfield.
Omar Marmoush would also arrive in a big-money deal from the Bundesliga to add further firepower to attack while Claudio Echeverri has finally completed his switch from River Plate having agreed on a move in January 2024. But with the ageing nature of Pep Guardiola’s squad still apparent and various contractual situations to weigh up within the club in the coming weeks and months plenty more changes are expected from those responsible. And the latest report centres around the possibility of big-name exits from the Etihad Stadium with which it is suggested that a long list of names have already been made aware of their fate. That is according to the information of Sky Sports Switzerland’s Sacha Tavolieri who reports that the entourage of as many as seven Manchester City first-team players have already been informed of the club’s desire to move them on at the end of the ongoing campaign.
That list consists of Jack Grealish Kevin De Bruyne Bernardo Silva John Stones Mateo Kovačić İlkay Gündoğan and Ederson all of whom have reportedly been asked to find an exit from the Etihad Stadium in the first days of the summer transfer market. Kevin De Bruyne is arguably the most likely to leave the club in the coming months purely as a result of his ongoing contractual situation with the Belgian’s current deal expiring at the end of the ongoing season. The age profile of Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan would also make them likely departures while the increasingly concerning injury record showcased by John Stones raises natural question marks over his future. Bernardo Silva has long been touted with an exit as he favours more tropical shores for the final years of his career while Ederson was at the centre of big-money transfer interest from Saudi Arabia last summer an interest that he reportedly responded to with warmth. Jack Grealish however is likely to be the most difficult of the potential exits given the level of investment placed in him by Manchester City back in 2021 and the salary package that any potential suitor would have to stump up in order to bring him back to the club.
Manchester City are planning a major overhaul of their squad this summer despite bringing in several new players in January. Reports suggest seven first-team players have been told to find new clubs at the end of the season by club officials. The players reportedly asked to leave include some of City’s biggest stars and longest-serving players. Kevin De Bruyne Bernardo Silva Jack Grealish John Stones Mateo Kovacic Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson make up the list of players allegedly told to find exits. This information comes from Sky Sports Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri who claims the players’ representatives have been informed.
Manchester City made significant additions to their squad in January bringing in several new faces. Defensive reinforcements came in the form of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis who were signed to strengthen the backline. Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez joined on transfer deadline day to bolster the midfield options for Pep Guardiola. The attack was strengthened with the arrival of Omar Marmoush from the Bundesliga in what was described as a big-money transfer. Argentine prospect Claudio Echeverri also completed his long-awaited move from River Plate after agreeing terms back in January 2024. Despite these new arrivals City appear ready to make even more changes to their squad this summer.
The average age of the City squad is considered a concern for the club’s hierarchy with several key players now in their thirties. Contract situations also play a key role in the decision-making process with some players entering the final year of their deals. Kevin De Bruyne’s situation appears the most pressing as the Belgian midfielder’s contract expires at the end of this season. Without a renewal De Bruyne would be able to leave on a free transfer in the summer making his departure seem highly likely. Veteran midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan are also reportedly on the list of players asked to leave. Their age profiles suggest City may be looking to refresh their midfield options with younger talent.
Defender John Stones has struggled with injuries in recent seasons which has limited his playing time and reliability. This injury record is said to be a factor in the decision to potentially move him on this summer. Portuguese star Bernardo Silva has been linked with moves away from the Etihad for several transfer windows now. Reports suggest he has a desire to play in warmer climates before his career ends which aligns with the claim he’s been asked to find a new club. Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson was the subject of serious interest from Saudi Arabian clubs last summer. According to the report he was receptive to those approaches which may have influenced City’s decision regarding his future.
Jack Grealish presents the most complicated case of the seven players reportedly asked to leave Manchester City. The England international joined City for a British record £100 million fee in 2021 making him an expensive asset to move on. Grealish’s high wages would also make it difficult for many clubs to match his current salary package creating a potential obstacle for any transfer. The reported overhaul suggests City are planning for the next phase of the Pep Guardiola era with fresh faces and renewed energy.
With five new signings already completed in January the summer transfer window could see even more activity at the Etihad Stadium. The club appears to be taking a proactive approach to squad management by informing players early about their futures. This gives both the players and the club maximum time to arrange suitable transfers in the summer window. Manchester City have consistently refreshed their squad over recent years despite their continued success in domestic competitions.
This approach of constantly evolving the team has been a hallmark of their strategy under Pep Guardiola. If these seven players do leave it would represent one of the most significant overhauls in recent memory at the club. Many of the players mentioned have been central to City’s period of dominance in English football. Kevin De Bruyne has been the creative heartbeat of the team while Bernardo Silva has been praised for his versatility and work rate. Ederson revolutionized the goalkeeper position under Guardiola with his exceptional distribution and ball-playing abilities.
John Stones formed part of a formidable defensive unit during City’s most successful periods under Guardiola. The potential exodus raises questions about who might replace these established stars at the Etihad Stadium. City’s January business suggests they are already planning for life without some of these players with young talents being introduced gradually. The club’s recruitment team led by Txiki Begiristain and now supported by Hugo Viana will likely have targets already identified for the summer window.
Financial considerations may also play a part in these decisions with City conscious of Premier League profit and sustainability rules. Moving on high-earning players would create room within the wage structure for new signings and contract renewals for retained players. The timing of this news is interesting coming midway through a season where City are still competing on multiple fronts. How these players respond to reportedly being told they should find new clubs could impact performances in the crucial final months of the campaign.
Whether all seven players will actually leave remains to be seen as transfer plans can change depending on circumstances and available replacements. Some of the players mentioned have been linked with moves to Saudi Arabian clubs where financial packages could match or exceed their current earnings. Others might attract interest from elite European clubs especially those with expiring contracts like Kevin De Bruyne. For Jack Grealish a return to the Premier League with another club seems the most likely scenario if he does leave City.
Finding a club willing to pay a significant fee and match his wages will be challenging but not impossible for a player of his profile. The potential departures would mark the end of an era for Manchester City with several key figures from their most successful period moving on. However the club has shown in the past that they can successfully transition between generations of players while maintaining their competitive edge. City’s approach to recruitment has typically involved planning several windows ahead identifying targets well in advance of actually needing them.
This forward-thinking strategy has served them well and appears to be continuing with this latest round of squad planning. The summer transfer window will reveal whether these reports are accurate and if City do proceed with such a significant overhaul of their playing staff. What seems certain is that changes are coming at the Etihad as the club prepares for the next phase of its development under Pep Guardiola or potentially even his successor should he decide not to extend his own contract.
City fans will be watching closely to see which of their favorite players might be departing and who might be arriving to replace them in the months ahead. The club’s success in managing this transition will likely determine whether they can maintain their position at the summit of English football in the coming years. The potential departure of seven established first-team players represents a significant risk but also an opportunity to refresh and renew a squad that has delivered unprecedented success. While new signings have already arrived further reinforcements would be necessary to replace the quality and experience that would be lost if all seven players were to leave this summer. Manchester City’s confidence in making such sweeping changes suggests they believe their recruitment strategy and development pathways can successfully replace even their most established stars.
This summer could be one of the most fascinating transfer windows in recent memory at the Etihad Stadium with major changes potentially reshaping the squad that has dominated English football. The challenge for City will be maintaining their competitive edge while undertaking such significant changes to their playing personnel. Their success in navigating this transition will be closely watched by rivals and neutrals alike as it could determine the Premier League landscape for years to come.
Manchester City’s transfer activities often set trends in the market and influence how other clubs approach their own recruitment strategies. If they do proceed with moving on seven established stars it would represent one of the boldest moves by any elite club in recent years. Only time will tell if this reported strategy proves successful but City’s track record suggests they rarely make decisions without careful consideration and planning. The club’s supporters will hope that whatever changes occur this summer the team will emerge stronger and ready to continue competing for major honors across all competitions next season and beyond.
The potential departures would create opportunities for the club’s younger talents to step up and establish themselves in the first team. City’s academy has produced several promising players in recent years who might benefit from spaces opening up in the squad. This summer could mark a defining moment in Manchester City’s recent history as they potentially move on from players who have been central to their most successful era. How they manage this transition will be fascinating to observe and could set the template for how elite clubs refresh aging but successful squads.
