The 2024/25 season was relatively bad Manchester Cityand that may have opened up Pep Guardiola see 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 in the hope that it can help them get back into the top four as well as compete in the Champions League and FA Cup. But given the form City have been in, especially around the Christmas period, 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 on the way over the summer, we’ve taken a closer look at which City players could be leaving the club in the not-too-distant future.
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1
Scott Carson
Scott Carson joined Man City back in August 2019 on loan from Derby County. His loan lasted two seasons before it was turned into a permanent transfer in 2021.
Carson was brought to City as their third keeper and his addition to the senior squad helped the team’s domestic quota. The stopper has played just two games for City, the last in the 2021/22 season, and now aged 39 and out of contract this season, he could leave the Etihad.
The Englishman could decide that this is the right time to retire and move on to the next phase of his career, while City could see this as a good opportunity to refresh their goalkeeping department.
2
Ederson
As well as Carson potentially leaving this summer, Ederson could also end his time at the Etihad. The Brazilian joined City in 2017 and has played more than 350 games for the club, becoming one of the Premier League’s best marksmen, if not the best.
However, this season has been somewhat difficult for the 31-year-old, as while he has dealt with injuries, he has also been dropped by Guardiola in recent weeks.
Ederson was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia last summerbut the move fell through, and with his contract expiring in 2026, a move to pry him away from the Etihad this summer could be on the cards to avoid the club losing him on a free later.
Diogo Costa has reportedly been identified by the Sky Blues as the main target for a new goalkeeper, and his arrival would certainly mean the end of Ederson’s time at the club.
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3
Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker’s seven-and-a-half-year stay at Man City appears to be coming to an end, as he looks to try his hand at a new challenge. Guardiola recently revealed that the right-back has asked to leave the Premier League champions because he wants to play abroad.
The Englishman was strongly associated with Milan in this January transitional period on loan. Walker is under contract at City until 2026, so unless a buyout clause is inserted he will return to the Etihad, but a permanent move is likely to come in the summer given his desire to leave the club.
At 34, the time is probably right for Walker to leave City, as the Citizens will be eyeing a player who can fill that role in due course.
4
John Stones
John Stones is another City player under contract until the summer of 2026, and given that he is now 30, a decision could soon be made on his long-term future at the club.
Stones has had some difficult spells at City, but overall he has been an important player for Guardiola. However, injuries this season have meant he has featured just 12 times in all competitions so far, with the champions now sealing signed by Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanovletting the central defender go may be their plan.
At times, Stones has felt his position under threat, and with the new arrivals, plus Josko Guardiola and Manuel Akanji potentially ahead of the England defender in the pecking order, Stones could be the one to make a way to balance the books.
5
Matheus Nunes
Despite only joining the club in 2023, Matheus Nunes could be a player City are looking to keep in the upcoming transfer window as they reshape their squad.
The Portugal international earned a move to the Etihad after impressing at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Nunes hasn’t been given the same number of chances as he was at Molineux and when he has played, he has struggled to make an impact.
Back in October, it was announced that City were ready to sell Nunes at the end of the season as he fell down the pecking order. The 26-year-old continues to be in and out of City despite their problems on and off the pitch, and if he fails to win a starting place during their struggles, he could be the player Guardiola decides to sell so they can get their money back.
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6
İlkay Gündoğan
İlkay Gündoğan made a sensational return to the Etihad during the summer transfer window, with the German hoping to pick up where he left off in 2023.
Although he played in most of the games for City, Gundogan did not have the same impact on this team as before. The 34-year-old has looked leggy and overrun at times this campaign, and considering he only signed a one-year deal, a departure could be on the cards after the end of the current season.
Gundogan’s return may have helped Guardiola fill a void in midfield for this season, but the City boss is likely to have his eye on bringing in a younger player who can do what the German does now.
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7
James McAtee
James McAtee is a player with a bright future ahead of him, and he would hope that he could have spent it as a regular player for City. However, the midfielder has struggled for consistent playing time at the Etihad this season after opting out of a loan spell following two successful spells at Sheffield United.
By mid-January, McAtee had played just 13 times for City in all competitions this season, starting just three times. In the midst of his situation, several Premier League teams and European sides are believed to be chasing his signatureeither on loan or permanent change.
The 22-year-old is another City player under contract until 2026, so a decision is likely to be made soon on what happens to his long-term future, and if his playing time doesn’t improve, he could be moved up the cards before later.
8
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has a very important few months ahead of him, as his contract with Man City expires at the end of this season, and it remains unclear whether he will sign a new deal or want to leave the club.
The Belgium international is one of City’s all-time greats and has been so important to their success in recent years, but at 33, injuries and fitness are starting to take over and he is not making the same impact he once did.
De Bruyne was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia during the summer and continues to be linked with such a move, while also believed to be on the radar of several MLS clubs.
The Belgian is now free to talk to clubs abroad and even if no deal is agreed, his time at City looks set to come to an end, with a move likely to happen in the summer as his contract expires.
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9
Jack Grealish
English striker Jack Grealish is another star who could leave Man City in the coming months.
The 29-year-old’s time at the Etihad was very quick, and given that he is not getting any younger, a departure could happen soon, especially if City decide to bring in a new player in that part of the squad.
Grealish already has strong competition in the form of Jeremy Doku, so another arrival could mean the end of his time at City.
Tottenham were linked with a move for Grealish back in Novemberand while their interest may not be sustained, he could have potential suitors if he continues to be in and out of the City squad.
The Englishman is under contract at the Etihad until 2027, so that gives City time to make a decision, but a sale in the summer could be City’s best chance of recouping a lot of the money they spent to offload him from Aston Villa in 2021.
