Manchester City appear to be wasting no time in the transfer market as preparations for the post-Kevin De Bruyne era begin in earnest. The Premier League champions are already making significant moves under the guidance of their new Director of Football, Hugo Viana, with Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa emerging as the club’s likely first summer acquisition.
According to credible reports from Foot Mercato, the Portuguese international has given his approval for a transfer to the Etihad Stadium after being impressed by the project presented to him. Despite Costa having a release clause valued at £64 million, Manchester City executives believe they can negotiate a more favorable deal in the region of £50 million—a significant investment that nonetheless represents good value in today’s inflated goalkeeping market.
The timing of this move aligns with growing concerns about Ederson’s long-term future at the club. The Brazilian shot-stopper has battled persistent groin injuries over the past twelve months, affecting his availability and potentially his performance levels. With just one year remaining on his contract come June, City face the prospect of losing their established number one for free in 2026 if they don’t act decisively this summer.
Industry insiders suggest Jorge Mendes—the super-agent with whom Viana maintains a strong professional relationship—is actively working to finalize the transfer. This connection could prove invaluable in securing favorable terms for all parties involved, particularly as Mendes represents numerous Portuguese players who have successfully made the transition to Premier League football.
At just 25 years old, Costa represents both an immediate upgrade and a long-term investment for the Citizens. His development at Porto has been remarkable, with the goalkeeper keeping an impressive 18 clean sheets in 41 appearances across all competitions this season. Such statistics have earned him recognition from some of the most respected names in football goalkeeping.
Former Portuguese international Vitor Baia didn’t mince words when assessing Costa’s abilities, describing him as simply “the best in the world” in his position. Perhaps even more telling was the endorsement from legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who stated: “Diogo Costa is becoming a world-class goalkeeper. He’s a star. He’s going to be a great goalkeeper.”
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Costa’s technical proficiency and command of his penalty area have been complemented by exceptional distribution skills—a non-negotiable attribute for any goalkeeper hoping to thrive in Pep Guardiola’s system. His comfort with the ball at his feet and ability to initiate attacks from deep positions align perfectly with City’s possession-based philosophy.
For a club that has always prioritized excellence in every position, securing a goalkeeper of Costa’s caliber represents a statement of intent. Should the transfer materialize as expected, Manchester City could have their goalkeeping position secured for the next decade, providing stability and world-class performance between the posts as they continue their domestic and European ambitions.
While City look to strengthen their squad with new additions, the club is also preparing for the departure of one of their greatest ever players. Kevin De Bruyne’s imminent exit, confirmed by the club several weeks ago, marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Manchester City’s history.
The Belgian maestro has been instrumental in City’s domestic dominance under Pep Guardiola, delivering countless moments of brilliance that have defined the club’s most successful era. De Bruyne’s vision, passing range, and leadership qualities have set the standard for midfield excellence in the Premier League.
Aston Villa captain John McGinn recently shared his thoughts on De Bruyne ahead of what could be their final Premier League encounter: “It’ll be strange obviously. Hope it won’t be the last time we play against him, but what a career he’s had at Man City. One of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders, just had everything really.”
McGinn, who has faced De Bruyne numerous times over the years, added: “A couple of those league titles that they came back and, when everyone expected them not to win the league, he kind of picked them up with the scruff of the neck and showed unbelievable quality and desire. I’ve met him a couple of times, good guy, really humble, and I wish him all the best in whatever he does – but certainly if it’s not the Premier League next season, thank goodness!”
While De Bruyne’s next destination remains unconfirmed, there has been substantial speculation linking him with a move to Major League Soccer in the United States. At 33 years old, the midfielder still has plenty to offer at an elite level, but both player and club appear to have recognized the right moment for a new chapter to begin.
Hugo Viana’s early weeks as Director of Football have been characterized by proactive engagement with European counterparts, with Bayer Leverkusen emerging as key transfer partners. The German club, who have enjoyed a phenomenal season under Xabi Alonso, have expressed interest in acquiring two Manchester City players—academy graduate James McAtee and experienced goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
McAtee’s development has been closely monitored by several Bundesliga clubs after impressive loan spells in the Championship. His technical ability and game intelligence make him an attractive proposition for a Leverkusen side known for nurturing young talent. Ortega, meanwhile, has proven himself a reliable deputy during his time at the Etihad but may seek a more prominent role as he enters the latter stages of his career.
More significantly, these discussions have provided a platform for City to register their interest in Leverkusen’s crown jewel, Florian Wirtz. The 22-year-old German international has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking midfielders, combining creative flair with consistent end product. His performances have been central to Leverkusen’s recent success, attracting attention from elite clubs across the continent.
For Manchester City, Wirtz represents the ideal candidate to fill the creative void left by De Bruyne’s departure. His ability to operate in multiple attacking positions, exceptional close control, and eye for a defense-splitting pass align perfectly with Guardiola’s requirements for an advanced playmaker. While securing his signature will undoubtedly require a substantial financial commitment, City’s willingness to include players in potential negotiations could facilitate a deal that satisfies all parties.
While Wirtz may be the dream target for the De Bruyne succession plan, Manchester City are demonstrating typical thoroughness by maintaining interest in alternative options. Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has emerged as a particularly intriguing prospect, having established himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective English midfielders.
At 25, Gibbs-White offers the perfect blend of immediate readiness and future potential—crucial factors for a club that must balance short-term competitiveness with long-term planning. His creative statistics compare favorably with the division’s established stars, while his pressing intensity and defensive work rate address the all-round requirements of Guardiola’s system.
Perhaps most significantly, Gibbs-White’s existing friendship with City talisman Phil Foden could accelerate his integration into the squad. The two have maintained a close relationship since representing England at youth level, potentially providing the foundation for a midfield partnership that could serve both club and country for years to come.
New Director of Football Viana is reportedly an admirer of the Forest playmaker, having tracked his development since his breakthrough at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Portuguese executive’s endorsement carries significant weight within City’s transfer committee, particularly given his reputation for identifying players with both technical quality and the psychological attributes needed to thrive in high-pressure environments.As Manchester City prepare for life after De Bruyne, all signs point to Phil Foden assuming greater responsibility as the team’s creative fulcrum. The Stockport-born playmaker has enjoyed his most productive season to date, combining consistent performance levels with match-defining contributions across all competitions.
Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham recently offered his perspective on how De Bruyne’s departure might impact Foden’s development: “I think we’ll see Phil step up and become the main man at City. He’s been learning from Kevin for years now, and you can see elements of De Bruyne’s game that he’s incorporated into his own. The timing is perfect for him to take center stage.”
Foden’s technical brilliance has never been in question, but his tactical maturity and leadership qualities have developed significantly under Guardiola’s guidance. Now 24 years old, the England international appears ready to be the player around whom City build their attacking structure—a responsibility he has embraced whenever De Bruyne has been absent through injury or rotation.
Mateo Kovacic, who joined City from Chelsea last summer, recently made the remarkable claim that Foden possesses even greater natural talent than his former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric: “Phil is a special talent, maybe even better than Luka in some aspects. His understanding of space, his first touch, his ability to turn in tight areas—these are qualities you cannot teach. We are very fortunate to have him.”
Such high praise from established professionals underlines the confidence within the club that Foden can successfully transition from supporting cast to leading man. His connection with the supporters as a homegrown talent adds an emotional dimension to this evolution—the local boy becoming the standard-bearer for one of world football’s most ambitious projects.While much attention has focused on Manchester City’s attacking reinforcements, Viana and Guardiola are equally committed to strengthening the team’s defensive foundations. Recent reports suggest the club is prepared to enter a transfer battle with Tottenham Hotspur for a £39 million-rated defender who has expressed admiration for City’s Croatian international Joško Gvardiol.
The identity of this defensive target remains unconfirmed, but industry sources indicate City are seeking a versatile defender capable of operating in multiple positions across the backline. Such flexibility has become increasingly valuable in Guardiola’s system, with the manager frequently adjusting defensive configurations based on opposition strengths and the specific tactical approach for each fixture.
City’s existing defenders have set exceptionally high standards this season, with fans recently suggesting they have the “next Sergio Ramos” in their ranks following an outstanding individual performance in the 2-0 victory over Everton. This comparison to the legendary Spanish defender reflects the elite level of expectation at the Etihad, where defensive excellence is considered as crucial as attacking brilliance.
Pep Guardiola recently acknowledged he had been “so unfair” with a £55 million defender who has seen limited playing time in recent weeks, highlighting the fierce competition for places that exists within the squad. Such depth has been a hallmark of City’s success under the Catalan coach, enabling rotation without compromising performance levels across a demanding schedule of domestic and European commitments.
The anticipated summer revolution extends to City’s forward line, with reports linking the club to a £70 million attacker who previously failed a trial at Arsenal. This unidentified player is believed to possess the pace and direct running style that would complement City’s more technical profiles, providing tactical variation when facing deep defensive blocks.
Manchester City’s recruitment strategy has consistently prioritized players who offer distinct qualities rather than duplicating existing strengths. This approach has created a squad with multiple solutions to the challenges posed by different opponents, contributing significantly to their sustained success across all competitions.
While specific targets remain closely guarded, the emphasis appears to be on securing players who combine individual brilliance with positional intelligence and tactical discipline. Guardiola’s system demands forwards who contribute defensively and understand complex positional rotations—requirements that significantly narrow the pool of suitable candidates regardless of budget constraints.
Manchester City’s transfer strategy must now operate within the context of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, with the club keenly aware of the need to balance recruitment with responsible financial management. The potential sale of players like Ederson, McAtee, and Ortega would generate valuable funds to reinvest in priority targets.
The club’s commercial revenue continues to grow impressively, providing greater financial flexibility than many domestic rivals. However, the days of unlimited spending are firmly in the past, with every transfer decision now evaluated through both sporting and economic lenses.
This more measured approach has not diminished the club’s ambition but has instead focused attention on securing maximum value from each transaction. The reported confidence that Costa can be acquired below his release clause exemplifies this philosophy—identifying premium talent while negotiating favorable terms that maintain fiscal responsibility.As Manchester City prepare for the 2025/26 season, the emerging transfer strategy suggests evolution rather than revolution. While significant changes are anticipated, particularly in midfield following De Bruyne’s departure, the foundation of Guardiola’s successful team remains intact.
The potential arrivals of Costa, Wirtz, and defensive reinforcements would address specific needs without disrupting the established culture and playing philosophy. Each target appears to have been selected not only for their individual quality but also for their compatibility with City’s possession-based approach and high-intensity pressing system.
Under Hugo Viana’s guidance, Manchester City are demonstrating the foresight and planning that have characterized their most successful recruitment periods. By identifying and pursuing targets early, the club positions itself advantageously in an increasingly competitive market, where delayed decisions can result in missed opportunities and premium prices.
For supporters, the coming months promise excitement and anticipation as the squad evolves to meet the challenges of domestic and European competition. While De Bruyne’s departure marks the end of a defining era, the foundations appear firmly in place for Manchester City’s next chapter of success—built on the same principles of technical excellence, tactical sophistication, and relentless ambition that have established them among football’s elite institutions.
As the summer transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on the Etihad Stadium to see how these carefully laid plans translate into concrete signings that will shape Manchester City’s future for years to come. Based on early indications, that future remains exceptionally bright.
