Man City fast-track new signings, summer arrivals already ‘done’
Man City were forced to fast-track their planned summer signings in January due to their below-par performances, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that many of their summer arrivals are already “done” although plans are now being put in place to add further reinforcements to Pep Guardiola’s squad in the summer window.
City spent £180million on the arrivals of Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez in January – despite not having planned to spent big.
Now, they will turn their attention towards the off-season when they will look to secure new deals and prepare to bounce back from a difficult season.
A new midfielder has emerged as a key target for City, after former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Kevin de Bruyne wants to move to the MLS.
Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva is eyeing a move away from Man City amid interest from teams in Portugal, Spain and the Saudi Pro League.
The futures of two of Guardiola’s star players are expected to play a key role in how busy City plan to be in the summer transfer market.
Man City eye summer overhaul after latest transfer twist
De Bruyne and Silva are not the only Man City players being linked with a possible summer departure as Guardiola eyes a major overhaul of his playing squad.
Speculation about the futures of John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri has also been circling, and could force City to spend big on potential replacements.
Brown told Football Insider on 18 Febraury that Man City are lining up five big-name signings given the multiple issues in their squad which will need addressing.
That came following their massive January spending spree, with large-scale changes set to take place at the Etihad as a result of their disappointing season.
As things stand, City have been eliminated from the Champions League and Carabao Cup, and are fourth in the Premier League – just five points ahead of tenth-placed Aston Villa.
Pep Guardiola could be forced into Man City fire sale after new twist
While plans are being put in place for further spending in the summer transfer window, City are set to be dealt a significant financial blow by their poor performances.
As per The Athletic (19 February), their elimination from the Champions League means City will receive £36million less in European prize money compared to last season.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Man City may have to sell key players to make up for their shortfall in revenue.
While it is not expected to have any major impact on the long-term plans at the Etihad given the positives in City’s finances, they are preparing for any possibility.
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