Manchester City: The latest news and insights from Manchester City’s summer so far | OneFootball

Manchester City continues to dominate headlines in global football, with the summer of 2025 already shaping up to be one of the club’s most eventful periods in recent memory. From transfer activity to the FIFA Club World Cup and tactical adjustments under Pep Guardiola, the blue side of Manchester remains in focus as fans and analysts await another defining campaign. Much like the excitement surrounding new features on first.com, Manchester City’s developments keep followers locked in, anticipating their next big move.

Transfer Market Activity: Strategic Incomings and Departures

Manchester City’s approach to the summer transfer window in 2025 has been one of rebuild. After a disappointing 24/25 season, Pep Guardiola’s squad was in need of a rebuild as an era ended last season. The club is focused on refreshing key areas while maintaining squad balance and financial prudence. With several veterans nearing the end of their peak years, this summer’s transfer decisions carry added significance. Manchester City have signed Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Marcus Bettinelli so far this summer.

But Pep Guardiola’s squad is bloated so players do have to leave the club this summer. Who could leave the club remains unclear at this time. Veterans like Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, and Mateo Kovacic could leave City. Young players like Vitor Reis and Claudio Echeverri do appear to be prime candidates to go out on loan.

Manchester City’s 2025 Transfer Overview

Players in:

Players out:

All figures above sourced from transfermarkt.com.

Manchester City’s transfer policy remains aligned with sustainability, focused on high-impact talent rather than big money signings. Three of the four players signed by City this summer figure to have prominent roles in Manchester City’s rebuild.

Tactical Adjustments and Pre-Season Training

With an evolving squad and increasingly competitive Premier League landscape, Pep Guardiola is tweaking City’s tactical blueprint. There is a renewed emphasis on positional rotation, dynamic width, and faster, and more dynamic build-up play, responding to patterns observed during the 2024–25 season.

Key tactical themes on display during Manchester City’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign:

Training sessions in the United States have featured frequent scenario-based drills, with a focus on mental agility, off-ball movement, intensity and transitional play. Guardiola’s system continues to demand adaptability — and this summer’s changes are no exception.

The tactical evolution reflects Pep’s drive to catch up to City’s rivals who have increasingly studied and mimicked his style.

Player Focus: Development, Injuries, and Comebacks

Several individual storylines are shaping City’s summer. Injury recovery, youth integration, and contract renewals all play into the bigger picture. With a demanding season ahead — including Champions League, Premier League, and domestic cup campaigns — depth and fitness will be key. Manchester City struggled with injuries throughout their squad last season. They will be hoping to avoid a similar fate during the 25/26 season.

Rodri’s return from an ACL injury and his bid to return to his best do loom as the biggest story that could shape Manchester City’s season. Rodri showed in the United States that he can get back to his best. But the fact that he picked up an injury during Manchester City’s round of 16 defeat to Al Hilal shows that he needs time to return to his best form and to full fitness.

Player storylines to watch for next season.

Phil Foden: Can he return to his best after a disappointing 24/25 season?

Rodri: If Manchester City’s midfield general can return to his best after an ACL injury anything is possible for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Oscar Bobb: As with Rodri, Bobb missed almost all of last season due to injury. He could have a pivotal role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side if he can remain fit next season.

Ederson: City’s number-one keeper looms as a pivotal player next season. If he is at his best anything remains possible for Pep Guardiola’s side. If he isn’t they could struggle again. He does loom as one of City’s most important players.

Rival Watch: How Manchester City’s Rivals are shaping up for next season.

As City reshapes its squad and tactical approach, their main rivals aren’t sitting still. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea have all entered the transfer market aggressively, each looking to strengthen ahead of next season. Those three clubs do figure to feature prominently at the top of the Premier League next season. Manchester City’s ability to catch Liverpool, who enter next season as Premier League champions, will rely not only on internal execution but also on how well they counteract rival improvements.

What the top contenders are doing:

Pep Guardiola’s side will be eager to challenge for the Premier League title next season. But the margin for error is narrowing. Each of the clubs mentioned above has strengthened with clear intent — and City must match that intensity from the season’s opening fixture. There is also the threat of Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur that cannot be discounted next season.

Final Thoughts.

Manchester City entered the summer of 2025 in a familiar position: at the center of the football conversation. With strategic signings and clear tactical evolution the club is well-placed to challenge once again next season after a disappointing 24/25 season . But returning to the top is never guaranteed — especially in a league where rivals are improving and fixture congestion never relents.

City’s summer isn’t just about transfers or training; it’s about setting the tone for another campaign filled with expectation. Whether you’re a supporter, rival, or analyst, all eyes remain on the Etihad.