Manchester City star opens up on future amid “absurd” offers as first transfer exit finalised | OneFootball

Manchester City fans have been issued with their first piece of official and confirmed transfer news of the 2024 summer transfer window.

Unfortunately, it does not concern an arrival at the Etihad Stadium, and a new week brought about very little on that front with Manchester City officials still analysing the market and weighing up their options.

It is however more cash in the bank for the Premier League champions, who are making the most of sell-on clauses and obligations to buy during the opening weeks of the summer market, to further strengthen their available funds for investment later down the line.

Here is your comprehensive coverage and round-up following day 18 of Manchester City’s summer transfer window business and activity!

Arrivals

Manchester City are surprised by the new Jarrad Branthwaite links. Whilst it is true that Txiki Begiristain likes the Everton defender, the Etihad’s sporting director knows that the player’s agent is very close to Jason Wilcox at Manchester United, and has been intent on taking him there for months. (Tolmie’s Hairdoo)

Departures

Kevin De Bruyne on his Manchester City future: “Yes (I will stay at the club). I’ve read a lot of headlines about a transfer, but I haven’t spoken to anyone. I saw him (Michael Emanalo, Saudi Pro League Sporting Director) at the Club World Cup. I know Michael – then it makes sense for us to have a chat. But it wasn’t about that.

“It’s hard to say now (what I will do after leaving Manchester City). We will be sitting around the table in the coming months. I signed my contract at the right time. If there is a good offer and you tell Pep (Guardiola) that you want to leave, that is possible. This may be different at other clubs. But I have never indicated that I want to leave.

“I have more than enough money. But if an absurd amount comes… That is also for my family, my relatives, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren and my friends.” (Het Nieuwsblad)

Manchester City have earned a fee of £8.5 million from Douglas Luiz’s transfer to Juventus due to a 20% sell-on clause included in the player’s transfer from City to Aston Villa in 2019. (Michael Plant, ManchesterWorld)

Manchester City have both a buy-back and sell-on clause in the £20 million transfer that has taken Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Southampton, officially confirmed on Monday 1 July. (Mike Minay)

Barcelona have agreed personal terms over a permanent transfer move for Joao Cancelo, but still need to reach an agreement with Manchester City. With nothing agreed yet, Saudi Pro League clubs Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq are also monitoring the situation. (CaughtOffside)

Kevin De Bruyne on his future with Belgium: “It’s too early to answer. Let me process this loss. It’s a been a very long season, I need to rest my body. I will make my decision after the summer…”

AS Roma are prepared to take Kalvin Phillips for £20 million. (Tolmie’s Hairdoo)

Contract Renewals

Manchester City will open talks with Rodri over a new contract when he returns this summer. A new deal will extend his present terms until the summer of 2029 at the earliest, and also make him the club’s top earner alongside Erling Haaland. (Tolmie’s Hairdoo)

Confirmed Deals

Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Southampton (£20M obligation to buy)

Stefan Ortega has signed a one-year contract extension at Manchester City until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Scott Carson has signed a one-year contract extension at Manchester City until the end of the 2024/2025 season.