Aguero out, Laporte in doubt: The Man City players who could leave this summer

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester City remain one of the richest clubs in the world and as such will undoubtedly be involved in transfer business this summer.

The highest profile player the club have been linked with is Erling Haaland, who could potentially be brought in as the club’s new starting number nine, though they face fierce competition for his signature.

Man City are close to winning the Premier League, too, but there are a few players on the periphery of things who could be moved on.

READ MORE: Liverpool players who could be sold this summer

Goalkeepers 

Ederson is only 27-years-old and will likely be Man City’s goalkeeper for some time unless they receive a ridiculous offer from someone.

Zack Steffen has been given a handful appearances in cup competitions this season but and will probably remain as the club’s number two unless he has aspirations of first team football somewhere.

Thirty-five year old Scott Carson is still on loan from Derby and it is unclear if he will return as the third keeper next season.

Defenders

Man City pulled off one of the best signings in Europe last summer when they acquired Ruben Dias from Benfica, as the Portuguese star has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and is a major factor in their resurgence to probably champions.

He was originally brought in as a right-footed partner for Aymeric Laporte, but it hasn’t worked out that way, as John Stones as enjoyed a huge renaissance in his Man City career. Due to a lack of form, he has fell out of favour in previous campaigns, but has undoubtedly been one of Pep Guardiola’s best performers in 2020/21.

With that, however, has come a lack of game time for Laporte, who has also been injured. Last year the Frenchman was one of the first names on the teamsheet, but this campaign he has been limited to just 12 starts in the Premier League.

Man City would of course like to keep him, but Laporte may want to leave to become a starter for someone again.

Eric Garcia’s contract with Man City expires this summer and it seems inevitable that he will join Barcelona after leaving in June, having previously refused to sign a new deal.

Barca actually attempted to re-sign their former defender in January, but were unable to put together the funds required.

City will also likely listen to any offers for Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker, both of whom have struggled to solidify their spot in the starting XI.

Midfielders

Despite Guardiola’s focus on the control of games, his central midfield roster is actually relatively small, with at least two of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri starting the majority of fixtures.

One player who comes in and out of the starting XI is Fernandinho, whose contract runs out at the end of the current season.

The Brazilian will have turned 36 by the end of the 2020/21 campaign, so it is unlikely that Man City will retain his services beyond June.

That means they’ll be on the lookout for a replacement, though is is not out of the question that they sign him for another year.

Forwards

One player already confirmed as leaving at the end of the season is legendary Man City striker Sergio Aguero.

The Argentine is one of the most important players in the club’s history, but his career has been ravaged by injuries over the past 12 months. In the 2020/21 season alone he has started just six games in all competitions, and it has been this lack of appearances which led City to announce his contract would not be renewed.

Aguero will be 33 by the time next season starts wherever he may end up, so could certainly be of use to someone for a year or two.

He has been linked with numerous clubs, including Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter, and Atletico Madrid, but any potential suitors will need to take his injury record into account.

Earlier in the season, reports emerged from Spain that Real Madrid were looking into the possibility of signing Riyad Mahrez, but that one is unlikely due to his age and the face Los Blancos will be focusing their funds on either Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe.

Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus, Ferran Torres, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling are unlikely to be going anywhere.