Phil Foden to make shock Manchester City exit: report
Phil Foden could be heading for the Manchester City exit door, after seven seasons in the first team
Phil Foden of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Phil Foden has been one of the Premier League’s standout players at Manchester City this season, but he could be set to make a shock exit in the summer transfer window.
In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne at the start of 2023/24, Foden stepped up to help Manchester City dominate teams in their usual way. His impressive return of 18 goals and 10 assists in 40 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side highlights his importance, while also
But the Manchester City forward could be tempted into a move away ahead of his eighth season in the first team, after winning everything available to him at his boyhood side.
Phil Foden Manchester City star scores a goal against Brentford in west London
Foden has shone for City this season (Image credit: Getty Images)
According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid are working hard to persuade Phil Foden to join them this summer, after all but securing the signing of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from PSG.
The report suggests that Juni Calafat, Real Madrid’s chief scout, is attempting to make a deal for the 23-year-old a reality, after identifying him as the next superstar to grace the Bernabeu pitch.
With Foden’s England team-mate Jude Bellingham already thriving in the Spanish capital, he could be tempted to make the La Liga switch at the end of the current campaign.
Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham celebrate a goal during England’s 3-0 win over Wales at World Cup 2022.
Foden could be tempted to join Bellingham at Real Madrid
But he won’t come cheap, with Foden’s Manchester City contract not expiring until the summer of 2027. Transfermarkt also values him at £100m – though it would likely take a lot more to prise the Premier League’s best player this term away from Pep Guardiola.
Despite that, though, Manchester City will allow wantaway players to leave, as evidenced through the sales of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez in recent seasons.
If Phil Foden does decide on moving to Real Madrid, competition for places would become even more than he currently experiences at Manchester City, too. Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr. and Bellingham are already at the club, while Mbappe and Endrick are set to join in the summer. Breaking into the first team, therefore, could prove even more difficult.
More Phil Foden and Manchester City stories
Pep Guardiola compares Manchester City duo to Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
Guardiola also explains what makes Erling Haaland so great.
PFA Player of the Year power ranking: Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City stars lead the race for the award.
Pep Guardiola says 28-year-old is ‘not ready’ to play for Man City vs Copenhagen tomorrow
Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City will continue to be without a key player when they face FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.
After a brilliant 3-1 win in the Manchester derby on Sunday, Manchester City will turn their attention back to Champions League competition this week before a massive clash with Liverpool at the weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s side take on FC Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium and hold a 3-1 advantage going into the second leg of the last 16 tie.
City are strong favourites to advance to the quarter-finals but will have to do so without Jack Grealish.
Jack Grealish.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola was asked about Grealish’s chances of playing on Tuesday: “No, tomorrow is not ready.
MORE MAN CITY STORIES
“I don’t know how long he will be [out for].”
City need Jack Grealish back
Grealish has struggled with injuries in recent weeks and is currently on the shelf again with a muscle strain.
The 28-year-old first picked up a knock in Demark three weeks ago and was taken off the pitch after just 20 minutes in his first start since January.
Grealish returned to action shortly afterwards in the FA Cup tie against Luton Town but again wouldn’t make it to half-time.
The No.10 suffered a groin strain in the 38th minute and was visibly upset as he sat down in the dugout afterwards.
It’s not yet been clarified how long Grealish will be out for but it doesn’t sound like he will be back any time soon.
With big matches against Liverpool and Arsenal on the horizon, that’s a massive blow as Grealish has been so vital in helping City control games against tough opposition.
They need him back as soon as possible.
Leave a Reply