The latest on Man City exits with several still likely to depart | OneFootball

Manchester City started the summer with swift determination, completing four signings before June 10 as Pep Guardiola embarked on a necessary rebuild of his ageing squad.

However, there has been very little action in the past month. The major arrivals at City so far this summer have been Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders. All three featured and impressed at various points during the FIFA Club World Cup. Youngster Sverre Nypan has also joined from Rosenborg.

Guardiola’s side momentarily looked back to their best at the tournament, sailing through the group stage with a perfect record. This included a 5-2 demolition of a Juventus side that had comfortably bested them six months ago.

As the Blues entered the knockout stages, they were ranked as one of the favourites for the competition. However, they crashed out in the round of 16, losing 4-3 to Al-Hilal.

City’s vulnerability that left them trophy-less last season re-emerged, though they are not expected to do much, or possibly anything, more in terms of incomings, hiwever more players will leave the club this summer.

Guardiola has consistently reiterated his desire to work with a smaller squad, suggesting last season that he would even quit if the club did not sell players, though he did later clarify that he was joking.

So far there have been no departures from City’s first-team, aside from Kyle Walker, who had already left on loan in January, and Kevin De Bruyne, whose exit had been announced back in April.

Jack Grealish is one star who is expected to leave this summer, after he was left out of the Club World Cup squad. There were initial loan enquiries from Newcastle, Napoli and a couple of other sides. However, there has been little progress with a move for Grealish, with his salary at City believed to be a stumbling block.

Further attacking departures are likely to come in the form of young players. James McAtee will likely leave with clubs in Europe and the Premier League interested in the England U21 youngster.

Ilkay Gundogan only re-joined the club last year but an exit this summer cannot be ruled out. The German played 33 Premier League matches last season. However, the 34-year-old no longer looked like the same player that had captained the side two years earlier. He has long been linked with a move to Galatasaray, although his agent has refuted these rumours.

Guardiola’s midfield is currently overpopulated and so at least one player in the position is likely to move on. Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders both signed in the last six months, Bernardo Silva was recently named captain and confirmed he would be staying at City, and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is untouchable.

Mateo Kovacic would have been a viable option to leave but that is unlikely as the 31-year-old is currently recovering from an Achilles injury and will be out for a while.

Defensive outgoings are also needed at the Etihad. Young centre-backs Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis were both signed in January, and have impressed at various times. The duo should be afforded more opportunities next season, alongside new left-back Rayan Alt-Nouri. This means some of the senior men at the back may have to make way.

John Stones is perhaps the most likely defender to depart. The Englishman has unique talent and can be brilliant when he plays, however he simply does not play enough.

With his repeated injury struggles, he has made 12 or less starts in three of the last four league campaigns. After starting just six Premier League starts last season, City may look to move on from the 31-year-old. His former club Everton are among those who could make a move for him.

Nathan Ake is another of Guardiola’s defenders that struggled to stay fit last season. Although his injuries have been less persistent, he only started eight times in the league last season and could face similar questions to Stones.

Manuel Akanji is a third centre-back with the potential to be offloaded. The Swiss defender was signed for a bargain £15 million fee and impressed greatly in his debut campaign.

However in the two seasons since then he has struggled to recreate that form and has often been error-prone. The 29-year-old only required a small investment from City and so may be easier to move on.

Guardiola admitted amid City’s injury struggles last season that in order for his side to compete for titles again, he needs a squad of players that can play regularly meaning tough decisions will likely be made before the window shuts.