Five players who could leave Man City this summer

Bence Bocsák

• Updated: 6 Aug 2024 15:31 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester City clinched a sixth Premier League title in seven years during the 2023-24 season, but that doesn't mean every player's position is secure under Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola has shown a willingness to let players leave throughout his eight-year tenure at the Etihad, with Cole Palmer, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Ilkay Gundogan all leaving the club on permanent deals last summer.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through five players who could leave Man City this summer.

READ MORE: Latest Man City transfer rumours

Jack Grealish

Man City set a new British transfer record when they signed Jack Grealish for €117.5 million from Aston Villa in August 2021, but he has been an underwhelming figure for most of his time at the Etihad Stadium.

The England international was a key member of Man City's treble-winning squad, but he is no longer a guaranteed starter and Guardiola's on-field remonstrations with him in the goalless draw with Arsenal last season were testament to his declining importance.

Ex-club Aston Villa have been linked with a move for their former star man, while Chelsea have also been touted for a summer pursuit.

Grealish' snub from England's Euro 2024 squad has added to the feeling he may have to leave to resurrect his international career.

READ MORE: Man City’s 10 most expensive transfers of all time

Ederson

It is difficult to imagine this current Man City team without goalkeeper Ederson between the sticks, but this summer could see the Brazilian make a shock departure.

The 30-year-old has Saudi suitors, though a deal has thus far proved tricky. The player is keen on the move, reportedly feeling underrated by Man City. Though they are open to letting him leave, having just agreed a new contract with Stefan Ortega, they know Ederson has a market and won't let him go on the cheap.

Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva has a unique circumstance among this list of his teammates: he is completely trusted by his manager, one of the first names on the teamsheet, and yet Guardiola wouldn't stop him from leaving.

The Portuguese has made no secret of his desire to follow Gundogan to Barcelona. Bernardo's asking price was the biggest stumbling block before, but with a year less on his contract than when Barca last tried, Man City may ask for a lower fee and the Blaugrana could attempt a summer swoop.

Kalvin Phillips

Kalvin Phillips' Man City journey appears to be over. The England midfielder was signed from Leeds as cover for Rodri, but Guardiola would rather have popped defenders like John Stones and Manuel Akanji in midfield than give Phillips his chance, and he joined West Ham on loan in January.

The loan was a disaster, with Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez preferred in defensive midfield, and an Etihad exit is likely this summer.

Leeds are reportedly interested in bringing their academy graduate back but are reluctant to meet City's asking price.

Joao Cancelo

Joao Cancelo is in a similar position to Phillips in that he has no City future and he was farmed out on loan last season.

One of the game's best full-backs, comfortable operating on either side of the field, he fell out with Guardiola and subsequently joined Bayern Munich on loan in January 2023, before signing for Barcelona last summer.

"I think they will continue," Barca president Joan Laporta told Mundo Deportivo of Cancelo and Joao Felix, who was also a loan from Atletico Madrid. "I hope that Atletico won't put any objection to Joao Felix continuing with us and I think that City won't object either."

It may be another loan for now, until Barcelona can afford a permanent transfer.