Manchester City entered the January transfer window with a familiar feeling around the Etihad. Calm on the surface, but busy underneath. This is not a club that panics, but it is also not a club that stands still. Over the years, City have quietly built a reputation for acting decisively in January, fixing problems early, strengthening weak areas, and reshaping the squad before cracks turn into disasters. Under sporting director Hugo Viana, January has become a time of controlled spending, sharp decisions, and sometimes painful exits.
Across the last two winter windows alone, City have spent around £264 million. That number tells its own story. This is a club that believes trophies are protected in January, not just won in May. And once again, this month has followed a familiar pattern. Two new players have already arrived. Big decisions have already been made. And now, with the deadline approaching, attention has shifted from who has come in to who might be on the way out.
Pep Guardiola’s side have already added Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi to the squad. Semenyo arrived from Bournemouth in a £64 million deal, a powerful attacker with pace, aggression and versatility, while Guehi joined from Crystal Palace for a surprisingly modest £20 million, giving City another calm and experienced option at centre-back. Together, the two signings cost £84 million, and Guardiola appears satisfied with his business.
No more incomings are expected. But January is rarely quiet at Manchester City. Behind closed doors, conversations are happening. Agents are calling. Clubs are asking questions. Players are thinking about their futures. And as February 2 edges closer, several City players are facing uncertain days.
Some look likely to leave. Others, despite heavy speculation, are expected to stay.
Oscar Bobb is one of the names causing the most noise. Not long ago, he was spoken about as one of the brightest talents in the City system. His rise through the academy was smooth and exciting. He played with freedom, confidence and flair, and when he finally broke into the senior team, many believed his moment had arrived. Guardiola spoke positively about him. Fans were eager. Expectations were high.
But football is cruel when injuries arrive at the wrong time.
The 2024–25 season became a nightmare for Bobb. Injury after injury interrupted his rhythm. Each setback stole momentum. Each return felt rushed. By the time he was fit again, others had moved ahead of him. This season, his struggles have continued, not necessarily because of poor performances, but because opportunities have been limited and competition has increased.
The numbers are harsh. Nine starts. Six substitute appearances. No goals. Just one assist. For a 22-year-old attacker desperate to prove himself, those statistics hurt. And the arrival of Antoine Semenyo has only made his situation more difficult. Semenyo is a direct competitor, and Guardiola has never hidden his preference for players who can make immediate impact.
Now, reports suggest Bobb could be on his way out before the window closes. Fulham have reportedly held talks with City over a £35 million move. For Fulham, it would be a club-record signing, a statement of ambition. For City, it would be a clean break, and perhaps the right move at the right time.
Interest does not stop there. Borussia Dortmund are watching closely. Sevilla are interested. Crystal Palace are monitoring the situation too. The message from several reports is clear: Bobb is expected to leave before the window shuts. Whether on a permanent deal or a structured agreement, his City chapter appears close to ending, at least for now.
Another name likely to depart is Stefan Ortega. Once a reliable deputy, Ortega’s situation has changed dramatically. Last season, he played regularly in cup competitions and even stepped in during key moments. He made 56 appearances for City and kept 25 clean sheets. He was trusted. Respected. Useful.
But football moves fast.
The arrivals of Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford and Marcus Bettinelli have pushed Ortega down the pecking order. From second choice, he has fallen to fourth. This season, he has not played a single minute. One unused substitute appearance on the opening weekend of the Premier League is all he has to show.
At 33, Ortega knows time is not on his side. Goalkeepers can play longer, but they still need games. Sitting on the bench helps nobody. Reports suggest he is keen to move on, with a return to Germany the most likely option. City are unlikely to stand in his way. His professionalism has never been questioned, but his role at the club is effectively over.
Then there is Kalvin Phillips. His story at Manchester City has been painful, awkward, and increasingly uncomfortable. Signed with hope and expectation, his time at the Etihad has never worked. Fitness issues, tactical mismatch, and an inability to convince Guardiola have all played a part. But the end result is brutal.
Since December 2023, Phillips has made just one first-team appearance for City. Seven minutes. That is all. A brief cameo in an EFL Cup win over Huddersfield in September 2025. In between, he has gone out on loan, first to West Ham, then to Ipswich Town, searching for form, confidence, and relevance.
Now 30 years old, Phillips is effectively an outcast. He has no future at City. Everyone knows it. According to reports, Wolverhampton Wanderers could offer him a lifeline. Wolves are monitoring the situation, particularly if Joao Gomes leaves this month. A permanent move would suit City, who are keen to remove Phillips’ wages from their books. His contract runs until 2028, but it is clear that this relationship cannot continue.
While those three players look likely to leave, others appear set to stay, despite rumours and speculation.
Nathan Ake was one of the names linked with a move earlier in the window. The Dutch defender wants to play regularly, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. He knows minutes matter. At his age, sitting on the bench too often could damage his international hopes.
However, circumstances have changed. Injuries to Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and John Stones have left City short at the back. Guardiola cannot afford to lose Ake now. His versatility, experience and calmness are vital as City fight on multiple fronts. With four competitions still alive, letting Ake leave would be reckless. As a result, he is expected to remain at the club at least until the summer.
Savinho is another player surrounded by noise but not movement. Last summer, Tottenham Hotspur showed strong interest. A deal never materialised. Instead, Savinho signed a new long-term contract, committing his future to City until 2031. That decision spoke volumes.
His season has been frustrating. Two goals. Three assists. Twenty-three appearances. For a player with his talent, those numbers feel underwhelming. Some fans have grown impatient. Others remain patient. Guardiola, however, continues to trust him. He values Savinho’s work rate, movement, and tactical discipline. At just 21, he is still learning.
An exit this month was never realistic, especially with Savinho currently injured. City see him as a long-term project, not a January problem.
Omar Marmoush is another name attracting attention. Interest from Tottenham and Aston Villa has been reported, but the player himself has no plans to leave. Marmoush wants to stay. He wants to fight. He wants to prove himself.
Signed for £59 million from Eintracht Frankfurt, his City career has been disrupted by injury and international duty. A long spell on the sidelines followed by Africa Cup of Nations involvement with Egypt has broken his rhythm. But he believes his moment will come. Guardiola has not shut the door on him, and January is not the time for either side to give up.
Finally, James Trafford’s situation has been clarified. Despite frustration at being behind Donnarumma, Trafford is staying. Guardiola has confirmed it. The 23-year-old is needed for cup competitions, and his development remains part of City’s long-term plan. Any reassessment of his future will happen in the summer, not now.
As the deadline approaches, Manchester City once again show how they operate. Ruthless when necessary. Patient when required. Willing to spend, but also willing to cut ties. January is not about sentiment at the Etihad. It is about balance.
Four players look set to stay. Three appear close to leaving. And as always with City, every move feels calculated, controlled, and designed to protect their dominance now and in the futures
