Managing to reclaim their Premier League crown with a stunning final weekend victory against Aston Villa last month, Manchester City have really not wasted any time in getting their business done this summer.
While Pep Guardiola’s men might still be waiting to lift their first European title, there is no doubt that fans around the Etihad will be boosted by the arrival of a certain Erling Haaland.
Finally announcing the arrival of the Norweigan superstar in a deal worth in the region of £51.5million last week, the now-former Borussia Dortmund striker certainly adds another dimension to City’s stacked attacking options.
However, watching midfield icon Fernandinho end his nine-year stay at the Etihad, it appears that Guardiola’s side could still be in for a lively summer.
Along with it looking like Gabriel Jesus could be inching closer towards a move to Arsenal, we have taken a look at a few other stars who could be on their way in and out of City.
Out
Raheem Sterling
While Raheem Sterling might have claimed his fourth Premier League medal winners’ medal last season, there has been constant speculation over recent times that the England international could be on his way out of the Etihad sooner rather than later.
Along with once again being linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona earlier in the year, the one-time Liverpool star is yet to sign a new deal with Manchester City and time is really starting to tick away.
Watching the Sky Blues break the bank last summer as they spent £100million on Jack Grealish, it appears that Sterling has really started to freefall his way down Guardiola’s pecking order.
Making it clear on several occasions that he is not currently willing to put pen to paper on an extension with the defending Premier League champions, The Athletic reported last weekend that Chelsea are keen on striking a deal for the 27-year-old.
With Romelu Lukaku making a shock return to Inter Milan, The Athletic’s report also suggests that the Blues are growing in confidence of striking a cut-price swoop for Sterling over the next few days.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Failing to drag Ukraine to this year’s World Cup finals after an emotional defeat against Wales earlier in the month, it now appears that Oleksandr Zinchenko has really questions hanging over his future at Manchester City.
With it being heavily reported that Guardiola is once again keen on adding to his options at left-back, it has been widely reported that the Sky Blues would be willing to part ways with the 25-year-old if they can agree on an acceptable fee.
However, while Zinchenko might be regarded as a real fan favourite around the Etihad, it has been suggested that a host of Premier League sides have their sights set on snapping up the 52-cap international in a deal that could be in the region of £30-40million.
Clearly not short on options, The Standard reported last week that Europa League semi-finalists West Ham are on of several Premier League clubs who are keeping tabs on the situation.
Likewise, in what would be a real shock move, 90min have also suggested that Barcelona are another club on the list of Zinchenko’s admirers.
In
Kalvin Phillips
With Guardiola left shocked earlier in the year as Fernandinho announced that he would be ending his nine-year stay in Manchester when his contract expires this month, it is no secret that the former Bayern Munich boss is keen on adding to his midfield options.
While the Sky Blues might have also been linked with a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice, it now appears that City have their sights firmly set on snapping up another England international midfielder over the coming weeks.
Although Kalvin Phillips might have dealt with a string of injury issues last season as his beloved Leeds just about hung onto their Premier League status, the 26-year-old has only continued to gain a host of admirers from across the country.
A key figure as England reached the final of last summer’s European Championships, Leeds’ homegrown star now has a real question to answer in regards to what his future holds.
While the Lilywhites might have made it clear that they want Phillips to sign a new deal at Elland Road, The Athletic reported last week that City have put the 23-cap international at the top of their wishlist.
Marc Cucurella
More than deserving of Brighton’s Player of the Year award last month, there is no doubt that Marc Cucurella has made an immediate impact since arriving among England’s elite.
Only continuing to gain a host of admirers from fans and pundits alike, the 23-year-old was one of the best Premier League debutants last season after arriving from Getafe for a fee in the region of £15.4million.
Helping Graham Potter’s men clinch a maiden top-half finish, it won’t be a surprise to many around the Amex that Cucurella has been attracting a host of heavyweight interest.
Seen as someone who can come in and replace Zinchenko, Sky Sports reported on Friday that City are confident of agreeing on a deal over the coming days. It is believed that Brighton have slapped a £50million price tag on their defensive talisman.
However, while it might appear that Guardiola’s side are still sat in pole position to snatch Cucurella’s signature this summer, there have been suggestions that they could face some late competition.
The Metro reported over the weekend that Chelsea have identified the Spanish international as a perfect replacement for the departing Marcos Alonso.
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