RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesWhat else to expect from Man City this summer?
Manchester City have already broken their transfer record this summer and seen a number of high-profile exits, but more activity is still expected.
After a decade with Pep Guardiola in charge, this summer will be one of the most transformative in recent memory at the Etihad Stadium. Enzo Maresca , the Catalan’s former assistant and ex-Chelsea boss, has formally arrived as his successor.
The Italian has insisted he will not ‘try to copy’ Guardiola , although he would surely love to enjoy similar success. There have already been numerous adjustments made as City and Maresca build their squad ahead of the new season.
Exits
Guardiola was not the only key figure to say farewell to the Etihad at the end of last season. After nine and ten years respectively at the club, both Bernardo Silva and John Stones also said goodbye, as their contracts expired. The former has now joined Real Madrid, with the latter set to sign for Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, Nathan Ake quietly joined Fenerbahce during the World Cup and Manuel Akanji’s permanent transfer to Inter was confirmed.
Nevertheless, City’s most significant player departure could still be to come. Rodri has the desire to return home to the Spanish capital, with Real Madrid long-time admirers of his.
The Ballon D’Or-winning midfielder has been the cornerstone to City’s recent successes and would be an immense loss. The 30-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season, meaning City could risk losing one of the best players in the world for free if they do not sell him this summer.
Further exits are also expected to come, with Savinho, Omar Marmoush, Tijjani Reijnders, Mateo Kovacic, James Trafford and further fringe players linked with moves away.
Trafford is on the verge of joining Leeds United, after losing the number one spot at the Etihad to Gianluigi Donnarumma. Whilst Savinho and Marmoush have both been targeted by Tottenham Hotspur in recent transfer windows. Meanwhile, with midfield reinforcements being made, it has been suggested that both Reijnders and Kovacic could depart.
Contract extensions
Guardiola’s exit has initiated perhaps the most uncertainty at the Etihad in the past ten years. In this climate, top talents committing their long-term future to the club can be just as significant as new signings arriving.
With the obvious exception of Rodri, City have successfully tied down all of their key players to multi-year deals. Phil Foden , Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol have all extended their contracts in recent weeks – a demonstration of their faith in Maresca.
The club will continue efforts to persuade Rodri to extend his deal. Despite this, aside from the Spaniard, all of City’s top talents are secure.
Incomings
The marquee signing of City’s summer has already arrived – in the form of Elliot Anderson . The Blues beat competition from numerous rivals, landing the Nottingham Forest midfielder for a club-record £116 million fee. After excelling in recent seasons, the 23-year-old England international should greatly bolster Maresca’s midfield.
City are continuing to look to further strengthen their midfield, and are closing in on the acquisition of Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old impressed for Morocco at the World Cup and would command a considerable fee. City are in advanced talks with Lille, where the teenager could return on loan if a deal is completed.
The Blues have already signed highly-rated teenage wingers Jeremy Monga and Mathys Detourbet this transfer window. 19-year-old Detourbet has already been sent out on loan to Monaco. Whilst 17-year-old Monga is travelling with Maresca’s squad for pre-season, before likely going out on loan himself.
A number of players that spent the previous campaign out on loan have also returned to the Etihad. Chief amongst those being Jack Grealish, Vitor Reis and Claudio Echeverri. The latter two have both joined the pre-season tour, with their futures remaining unclear. Whilst Grealish has not travelled due to injury, Maresca has left the door open for a possible return to the first-team.
With Maresca’s squad currently somewhat bloated, there are not many clear areas that City need to strengthen further. One gap that will need filling is the second-choice goalkeeper – assuming that Trafford does complete his departure.
Another area that the Blues may target in the coming weeks is full-back. Their current starting duo, Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly , are both naturally midfielders who started as makeshift options in defence. Although both have excelled in the role, Maresca may prefer a more natural alternative at full-back. Earlier in the window, City were linked with a move for his former player Malo Gusto, who would fit such a description.
Still, it is expected that there will be more outgoings than incomings at the Etihad in the final month of the transfer window.
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