Pep Guardiola, the renowned manager of Manchester City, has been making some significant decisions regarding the future of his squad. In a surprising turn of events, Guardiola has reportedly created a “blacklist” of four players that he intends to part ways with in the summer, including one notable and unexpected name that has caught the attention of football fans across the globe. This shake-up comes after a rather busy January transfer window, where Manchester City spent a considerable amount of money to bring in new players, aiming to improve their squad and push for qualification in the Champions League.
The January transfer window of 2025 saw Manchester City invest a substantial amount of money, with the club spending £180 million on new signings. This sum is almost equal to the combined spending of all the other 19 Premier League clubs during the same period. The large investment reflects City’s intention to rectify a difficult season and secure their place in Europe’s most prestigious club competition. Several high-profile names arrived at the club, adding fresh energy and talent to the squad.
Among the new arrivals were Omar Marmoush, who joined for £59 million from Eintracht Frankfurt. Marmoush had an immediate impact on the pitch, scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 4-0 victory over Newcastle, showcasing his ability to make a difference for his new team. Another key addition was Nico Gonzalez, who came in for £50 million from Porto. Gonzalez also impressed during his early days at City, demonstrating that the club’s investment was paying off. Additionally, the team added two defenders, Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens and Vitor Reis from Palmeiras, bolstering their defense to ensure greater stability at the back.
With these new players now settling in, Guardiola’s attention has shifted to further improving the squad for the future. Despite these additions, the club has acknowledged that there is still much work to be done in terms of squad reshuffling, and some familiar faces may be on their way out. Guardiola has been closely monitoring the situation, and according to reports from Spain, he has decided that four players are no longer in his long-term plans, leading to the club making preparations to sell them in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The first player to be mentioned as part of the impending clear-out is Ilkay Gündogan, the German midfielder who joined Barcelona in 2023 after leaving Manchester City on a free transfer. While Gündogan’s move to Barcelona was initially seen as a promising one, it has not gone according to plan, and his impact at the Spanish club has been less than expected. According to sources, Gündogan’s departure from Manchester City had already been planned for some time, and his move to Barcelona marked the beginning of the end of his journey at City.
Gündogan’s exit from City seems like a logical one. He arrived at Barcelona with high hopes but has struggled to live up to the expectations placed on him. With his return to England now deemed unfeasible, the midfielder’s future at Barcelona is uncertain as well. It seems likely that Gündogan’s time in top-flight football will soon come to an end, as he looks for a new club to continue his career.
The next player on Guardiola’s list of potential departures is Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian playmaker who has been an integral part of Manchester City’s success in recent years. De Bruyne, at 33 years old, remains one of the best midfielders in the world, but recent injury struggles have put a damper on his performances. His ability to influence games has been hindered by persistent injuries, and it seems as though his time at Manchester City may be coming to a close.
De Bruyne’s contract with City runs until 2026, but the club is reportedly considering selling him in the near future before his market value declines further due to his advancing age and injury problems. The Belgian’s potential departure would mark the end of an era for City, as De Bruyne has been one of the most influential players in the club’s history. Given his age and injury concerns, the club is said to be open to selling him now, especially since several clubs, including those in Saudi Arabia, are reportedly willing to offer him lucrative contracts.
The likelihood of De Bruyne moving to Saudi Arabia seems high, as various clubs from the Middle East have been showing strong interest in securing his services. These clubs are offering De Bruyne a substantial amount of money, making a move to Saudi Arabia a tempting proposition for the Belgian. While many fans and pundits would prefer to see De Bruyne stay at City for the remainder of his career, it seems as though his future lies elsewhere, with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia appearing to be the most realistic option at this stage.
The third player on Guardiola’s list of departures is Bernardo Silva, the Portuguese midfielder who has been a key figure in City’s midfield for several seasons. Silva’s skill and versatility have made him an invaluable asset to Guardiola’s system, but there have been rumblings for some time that the player has been considering an exit from the club. Despite his importance to the team, Silva has reportedly been weighing his options, and it appears as though he may leave Manchester City sooner rather than later.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have both shown interest in acquiring Silva’s services, and with a release clause of €58 million in his contract, it seems like a move away from City is inevitable. The 2024-2025 season may very well be his last with the club, as both Barcelona and PSG are expected to make serious bids for the talented midfielder. Silva’s potential departure represents another significant change for Manchester City, as he has been a key player for them over the years, playing a pivotal role in their success under Guardiola.
However, the most surprising player to be included in Guardiola’s “blacklist” is none other than Phil Foden, the talented English winger who has been one of Manchester City’s standout performers in recent seasons. Foden’s inclusion on the list of players potentially leaving the club has shocked many, as he has been viewed as a future star for City and one of the brightest young talents in English football.
Foden’s importance to the team in recent years cannot be overstated. He has been a regular starter for City, contributing to the team’s attacking play with his creativity, dribbling, and ability to score goals. Yet, despite his impressive performances, reports suggest that Guardiola has started to see Foden’s role in the team as potentially evolving. There have been whispers that Guardiola is open to the possibility of selling Foden if a substantial offer arrives.
According to the reports, Manchester City’s management is no longer viewing Foden’s future at the club as “non-negotiable.” If an offer of more than €150 million is made for the young Englishman, the club would seriously consider selling him, despite his obvious potential and previous contributions to the team. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, as Foden has long been regarded as one of Manchester City’s most valuable assets.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are two of the clubs reportedly monitoring Foden’s situation closely. Both clubs have shown interest in the talented winger, and with their financial resources, they could make a move for him in the near future. If a bidding war ensues for Foden’s signature, Manchester City could find themselves in a difficult position, as they would have to weigh the potential benefits of selling him against their desire to keep him as a long-term player.
Foden’s inclusion in the “blacklist” is particularly surprising considering his rapid rise to prominence at Manchester City. He has been a key player for City in recent seasons and has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in European football. Many fans and pundits have expressed disbelief at the prospect of Foden leaving City, but Guardiola’s decision to include him on the list of potential departures indicates that the manager is willing to make tough decisions for the future of the club.
Guardiola’s approach to squad management has always been focused on building a team that can consistently compete at the highest level. His decision to part ways with some of the club’s most iconic players reflects his commitment to maintaining Manchester City’s status as one of Europe’s elite clubs. While it may be difficult for fans to see some of their favorite players leave, Guardiola is likely thinking about the long-term future of the team, ensuring that City remains competitive for years to come.
The arrivals of Marmoush, Gonzalez, Khusanov, and Reis demonstrate Guardiola’s intent to revamp his squad and inject fresh talent into the team. The sales of Gündogan, De Bruyne, Silva, and potentially Foden would free up space for even more new signings, allowing City to further strengthen their squad. While it may seem like a period of transition, it’s clear that Guardiola has a clear vision for the future, one that will ensure Manchester City remains a force to be reckoned with in English and European football.
As Manchester City prepares for the upcoming summer transfer window, the club’s fans will be watching closely to see who stays and who goes. While the departure of some key players will be difficult to accept, it’s important to remember that these decisions are made with the long-term success of the club in mind. Guardiola’s reputation as one of the best managers in the world suggests that he knows exactly what he’s doing, and the upcoming changes could very well help propel Manchester City to even greater heights in the years to come.
