The 2024/25 season was relatively poor Manchester CityThis may have been opened Pep Guardiola His eyes are on where he needs to improve his squad in the next few transfer windows.
The Citizens are expected to have a busy end to the January transfer window, as they add several new players to the squad that will hopefully help them get back into the top four as well as competing in the Premier League. UEFA Champions League and FA Cup. But given the form City have been in, especially around Christmas, Guardiola may now be aware of players who do not have a long-term future.
So, with plenty of players arriving in January and potentially more in the summer, we've taken a closer look at the City players who could be leaving the club in the not too distant future.
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Scott Carson
Scott Carson joined Manchester City in August 2019 on loan from Derby County. His loan lasted for two seasons before being converted into a permanent transfer in 2021.
Carson was brought to City as a third choice goalkeeper, with his addition to the first team helping the team's domestic quota. The goalkeeper has only played two games for City, the last of which was in the 2021/22 season, and is now 39 years old and with his contract expiring this season, he may be ready to leave the Etihad.
The Englishman could decide that this is the right time to retire and move on to the next stage of his career, while City could see this as a good opportunity to refresh their goalkeeping department.
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Ederson
As well as Carson potentially leaving this summer, Ederson could also be ready to end his time at the Etihad. The Brazilian joined City in 2017 and went on to play over 350 games for the club, becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, if not the best.
However, this season has been a bit difficult for the 31-year-old, as while dealing with injuries, he has also been left out by Guardiola in recent weeks.
Ederson was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia last summerHowever, this move did not work, and with his contract expiring in 2026, a move to remove him from the Etihad this summer may be available to avoid the club losing him for free at a later time.
The Sky Blues have reportedly identified Diogo Costa As a prime target for a new goalkeeper, his arrival would certainly spell the end of Ederson's time at the club.
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Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker's seven-and-a-half-year spell at Manchester City appears to have come to an end, as he wants to try out a new challenge. Guardiola recently revealed that the right-back asked to leave the Premier League champions because he wants to play abroad.
The Englishman has been strongly linked with Milan In the January transfer window on a loan deal. Walker is under contract with City until 2026, so unless there is a commitment clause to buy, he will return to the Etihad, but a permanent move is likely to happen in the summer given his desire to leave the club.
Given that he is 34 years old, this is likely the right time for Walker to leave City, as the Citizens will have their eyes on signing a player who can play that role for the foreseeable future.
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John Stones
John Stones is another City player who is under contract until the summer of 2026, and given that he is now 30 years old, a decision could soon be made on his long-term future at the club.
Stones had some difficult periods at City, but overall he was an important player for Guardiola. However, injuries this season have meant he has played just 12 games in all competitions so far, with the title now decided Signed by Vitor Reis and Abdelkader KhosanovAllowing a centre-back to leave may be a plan of their own.
At times, Stones has found his position under threat, and with new arrivals, plus Josko Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji potentially moving ahead of the England defender in the pecking order, Stones could be the one to make way to balance the books.
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Matthews Nunes
Despite only joining the club in 2023, Mateus Nunes could be a player City look to move forward with in the upcoming transfer windows as they reshape their squad.
The Portugal international earned a move to the Etihad Stadium after impressing at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Nunes was not given the same number of opportunities as he was at Molineux, and when he did play, he struggled to make an impact.
It was reported back in October that City were prepared to sell Nunes at the end of the season Because he fell down the pecking order. The 26-year-old continues to be in and out of City's squad despite their problems on and off the pitch, and if he fails to secure a starting place during their struggles, he could be a player Guardiola decides to sell until they can. They can get their money back.
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Ilkay Gundogan
Ilkay Gundogan made a sensational return to the Etihad during the summer transfer window, and the German was hoping to pick up where he left off in 2023.
While he played in the majority of City's matches, Gundogan did not have the same impact on this team as he had previously. The 34-year-old has looked tall and overmatched at times this season, and with him only signing a one-year contract, an exit could be on the cards once the current season ends.
The return of Gundogan Guardiola may have helped fill the void in midfield this season, but the City coach will likely have his eyes set on bringing in a younger player who can do what the German is doing now.
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James McAtee
James McAtee is a player with a bright future ahead of him, one he was hoping to spend as a regular at City. However, the midfielder has struggled for consistent minutes at the Etihad Stadium this season after they decided not to loan him out following two successful spells at Sheffield United.
By mid-January, McAtee had played just 13 games for City in all competitions this season, including just three starts. In the middle of his situation several It is believed that Premier League teams and European clubs are chasing his signatureWhether on loan or permanent exchange.
The 22-year-old is another City player under contract until 2026, so a decision will likely be made soon on what happens to his long-term future, and if his minutes do improve, it could be a step in the right direction. Cards sooner rather than later.
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Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne faces a very important few months, as his contract with Manchester City expires at the end of this season, while it remains unclear whether he will sign a new contract or look to leave the club.
The Belgian international is one of City's best ever players and has played a hugely important role in the team's success over recent years, but at the age of 33, injuries and fitness issues are starting to take hold, and he no longer has the same impact he once had. an act.
De Bruyne was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia during the summer He remains linked with such a move, while he is also believed to be on the radar of a few MLS clubs.
The Belgian is now free to speak to overseas clubs, and even if a deal is not agreed, his time at City appears to be over, with a move likely to happen in the summer with his contract expiring.
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Jack Grealish
England striker Jack Grealish is another star who could leave Man City in the coming months.
The 29-year-old's time at the Etihad Stadium has been very fluid, and given he's not getting any younger, a move away could happen soon, especially if City decide to bring in a new player into that area of the squad.
Grealish already has strong competition in Jeremy Doku, so another arrival could spell the end of his time at City.
Tottenham were linked with a move for Grealish in NovemberAnd while their interest may not last, he may have potential suitors if he continues to be featured in and out of the City team.
The Englishman is contracted at the Etihad until 2027, so it gives City some time to make a decision, but a sale in the summer could be City's best chance of recouping much of the money they spent to pry him away from Aston Villa in 2021.