Manchester City to SELL summer signing, in bid to re-energise squad: reports,this six players is going to leave Manchester city confirmed by city board,You won’t believe which players are said to be included
Manchester City is once again in the middle of a storm, a storm that has left fans around the world in total shock. The club that has become the face of modern dominance in English football, the team that has won Premier League after Premier League under Pep Guardiola, has now taken a decision that nobody thought would happen so soon. Reports have now confirmed that Manchester City are preparing to sell a summer signing alongside five other players in a dramatic shake-up of their squad. The story has broken like wildfire, and social media is already in meltdown. Supporters are asking the big question: how can City sell some of these names after all they have done for the club? How can Pep Guardiola even consider letting them go?
The report, first revealed by The Athletic, has made it clear that six names are now officially on the list of players Manchester City are willing to part ways with. Among them is England defender John Stones, a player who has written his name in City’s history books after his heroic displays in the Champions League, the Premier League, and countless other big matches. To see his name appear on the list has left fans both confused and angry. But Stones is not the only one. Mateo Kovacic, Gundogan, Nico O’Reilly, Claudio Echeverri, and even Oscar Bobb are also included, though Bobb’s situation is slightly different because he has missed the entire season with injury.
This is no ordinary piece of news. This is the kind of story that shakes the foundation of a football club. For years now, Manchester City have been known as a team that rarely loses its stars unless the club decides it is time. From Sergio Aguero to David Silva, from Vincent Kompany to Kevin De Bruyne who recently left for Napoli, City have always maintained control of their squad. But this new revelation shows that change is coming faster than many expected. Pep Guardiola, alongside the City board, has decided it is time to re-energise the squad, to trim the numbers, and to prepare for a new era.
The decision to sell John Stones especially tells a story of how quickly football can change. Just a couple of years ago, Stones was at the heart of City’s defence, trusted in Champions League finals and Premier League deciders. His ability to play out from the back and step into midfield made him one of Pep Guardiola’s most unique weapons. He was hailed as a defender who could change the game, someone who represented modern football in its purest form. But injuries have destroyed his rhythm. Last season alone, he managed just 11 Premier League appearances. First it was the hamstring, then the foot injury, and every time it looked like he was back, something else pulled him out again. Guardiola cannot afford passengers in his squad, and the arrival of Abdukodir Khusanov in January has already filled the role Stones once held. For many, that was the moment his time at City quietly began to end.
But it isn’t just Stones. Mateo Kovacic, who was signed with high expectations, has not fully delivered. Gundogan, though a City legend, has not been the same player since his big contract renewal discussions failed. Nico O’Reilly, a talented youngster, has not yet managed to break into the side. Claudio Echeverri, another young prospect, has struggled to settle. And then there is Oscar Bobb, who has been so unlucky with injuries that the club now considers his future uncertain despite his massive talent. Together, these six names represent the new direction City are about to take. It is a statement: no player is safe if they cannot contribute consistently.
The timing of the news is also significant. City have already been busy in the transfer market. This summer they have brought in Tijjani Reinders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki. Each of them represents the future — younger, faster, more energetic players who can refresh the squad. With Kyle Walker already sold to Burnley and De Bruyne’s emotional move to Napoli, the City team fans watched just two years ago is beginning to look very different. The board, led by Director of Football Hugo Viana, has explained that trimming the squad is essential to keep the hunger alive. For them, this is not just about football ability; it is about mentality, energy, and the need to keep evolving.
Yet, no matter how the board explains it, the emotions are too raw. Fans remember the Champions League final in Istanbul, when John Stones stood tall as Inter Milan pushed for an equaliser. They remember Gundogan’s heroics in winning titles, scoring crucial goals that kept the Premier League trophy in Manchester. They remember Oscar Bobb’s moments of brilliance before his injury nightmare. These memories are not easily forgotten, and that is why so many are struggling to accept this decision.
Social media has become the battlefield of opinions. Some fans say Pep Guardiola is ruthless but right — football is about winning, and if a player cannot stay fit or deliver consistently, the club must move on. Others say loyalty should mean something, especially for players like Stones and Gundogan who gave everything for City. Some supporters are even fearful that this is the beginning of the end of City’s dominance. After all, can a team keep winning forever while letting go of its experienced stars?
The truth is, Pep Guardiola has always worked this way. At Barcelona, he sold Ronaldinho and Deco when everyone thought it was madness, paving the way for Lionel Messi to rise. At Bayern Munich, he reshaped the squad even when players were fan favourites. And at City, he has never been afraid of change. It is this ability to move forward without hesitation that has kept his teams at the top. But it also comes with heartbreak. Players who once carried the team are suddenly seen as expendable.
The future now depends on how City fans react and how the players themselves respond. For John Stones, the question is where he will go next. Many clubs would be desperate to have him — Arsenal, Chelsea, or even clubs abroad in Spain or Italy. Gundogan too will have suitors, while Oscar Bobb may yet be given another chance if his recovery goes well. But the message is clear: their future is no longer guaranteed at the Etihad.
City’s pre-season friendly against Palermo on August 9 could be the first time fans see a glimpse of the new team, without some of the old heroes. By then, transfer deals may already be in motion. The new faces will have to prove quickly that they can fill the shoes of those leaving, because the pressure at Manchester City is always sky-high. Every season begins with the same expectation: win the Premier League, challenge for the Champions League, and dominate domestic cups. There is no time for slow rebuilding; Guardiola demands immediate impact.
It is a reminder that football is as much about business as it is about passion. Manchester City’s success has been built on making the tough decisions at the right time. That is why they are where they are today. And yet, for the fans who have fallen in love with the players, this feels more like heartbreak than progress. To wake up and see John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, Gundogan, Nico O’Reilly, Claudio Echeverri, and Oscar Bobb all on the exit list feels like the end of an era.
This story is not just about names on a list. It is about the cycle of football, the way clubs rise and fall, the way heroes are celebrated and then replaced. It is about the ruthlessness of modern football, where even legends are not safe. And for Manchester City, it is about making sure they stay one step ahead, even if it means breaking the hearts of their supporters.
One thing is certain: the rest of the Premier League will be watching closely. Rivals like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea will sense opportunity. If City are changing, can they exploit the transition period? Or will Guardiola once again prove that his ruthlessness is exactly why City will continue to dominate? Only time will tell, but for now, the drama has only just begun.
