Dropping what could be a pair of costly points on Saturday afternoon as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest, Manchester City also sacrificed their spot at the top of the Premier League table.
While the defending champions might have laid down a real marker away at the Emirates last weekend as they claimed a thumping 3-1 romp against Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side are seeking some stability.
Likewise, along with facing what is a heavyweight title scrap in 2023, the Sky Blues are also dealing with some rather public issues behind the scenes in Manchester.
Charged with breaking the Premier League’s FFP rules around 100 times over a nine-year period, there remains a real cloud of uncertainty over the Etihad.
Although City might have made quite the statement last summer as they welcomed Erling Haaland to England’s top-flight, it appears a number of first-team stars could be heading for the exit.
With a potential squad overhaul on the cards ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, we have taken a look at who could be on their way out of Man City this year.
Ilkay Gundogan
While Ilkay Gundogan might have cemented his spot as a modern-day Manchester City icon since arriving in the Premier League back in 2016, the German midfielder finds his career at a real crossroads.
Although the former Borussia Dortmund star might have once again been a key part of Guardiola’s first-team plans this season, Gundogan is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.
With no signs of an agreement over a contract extension, the 32-year-old has entered the final six months of his current deal and is free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs.
Helping City lift four Premier League crowns since arriving in England, the 66-cap international appears to have a host of heavyweight admirers.
Although the Sky Blues might have made it clear that they want Gundogan to extend his seven-year stay at the Etihad, Barcelona are reportedly keen on snapping the midfield ace up on a free transfer.
Rodri
While the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden might have had to deal with brief stints on Guardiola’s bench this season, Rodri has become an ever-present in the 52-year-old’s plans.
Although City might have forked out £45million last summer as they signed ex-Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, the Spanish international is arguably the first name on Guardiola’s team sheet.
However, while the former Atletico Madrid starlet might have been one of Manchester City’s standout performers this season, the 26-year-old has amassed plenty of fans from across the continent.
Although the Eihad hierarchy might have made it clear that they are not willing to part ways with their midfield talisman, Barcelona could come knocking with a blockbuster offer this summer.
Along with trying their best to recruit Gundogan on a free transfer ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, Football Insider reported over the weekend that the Spanish giants would be willing to pay up to £80million for Rodri.
Bernardo Silva
Although Bernardo Silva might have bagged his third Premier League strike of the season as City eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest over the weekend, there once again remains plenty of question marks over his long-term future.
While the Portuguese playmaker was arguably one of the Premier League’s standout performers last season, the one-time Monaco ace has struggled to find much stability this time around.
Spending the last few weeks playing in a more deeper role, this is not the first time that Silva has been linked with a potential move away from the Etihad.
Although the 28-year-old might have become a real fan favourite since moving to City back in 2017, Silva has previously been vocal about wanting more regular first-team action.
With some speculation during the January transfer window that the 78-cap international could secure a sensational late move away, The Daily Mail reported earlier in the month that PSG are keeping tabs on Silva’s situation.
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