Manchester City facing five-player exodus this summer?
As many as five Manchester City players could leave the Etihad Etihad Stadium during the summer transfer window, according to a report.
The Citizens had their unprecedented double-treble hopes quashed by Real Madrid in the Champions League last week, but they remain on course to retain the two domestic trophies they won last season.
Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s side secured a 1-0 win over Chelsea to progress to their second successive FA Cup final last weekend, and they are also in a three-horse race with Arsenal and Liverpool for the Premier League title.
After allowing the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer to depart the club last summer, Man City bolstered their squad by recruiting Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku.
With less than two months until the summer transfer window opens, a number of Man City players have been tipped to seek pastures new as Guardiola and co consider another first-team reshuffle.
Manchester City facing five-player exodus this summer?
Five players facing uncertain futures at Man City
According to Spanish outlet Nacional, via The Sun, five first-team players could leave Man City this summer, with Jack Grealish said to be topping the list at present.
After establishing himself as a star player at boyhood club Aston Villa, the 28-year-old joined the Citizens for a club-record £100m in 2021 and has since made 122 appearances in all competitions, contributing with 14 goals and 18 assists.
Grealish has starred in spells for the Citizens, but he is yet to reach the heights expected under Guardiola and has had to battle with new recruit Doku for regular starts on the left flank.
It has been claimed that Man City would be open to offers for Grealish this summer, and the same can be said for midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who is unlikely to be reintegrated into Guardiola’s squad when his loan at West Ham United comes to an end.
Nacional reports that Bundesliga duo Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich have emerged as potential destinations for the 28-year-old Yorkshireman, who has also attracted interest from former club Leeds United.
Manchester City facing five-player exodus this summer?
Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Stefan Ortega to leave Man City?
Elsewhere, Bernardo Silva and Stefan Ortega are believed to be considering their futures at the Etihad amid interest from clubs across Europe.
Bernardo has stated on multiple occasions that he is keen to return to boyhood club Benfica before he retires, while a potential move to either Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain could appeal to the playmaker.
Earlier this month, Barca’s Joao Felix expressed confidence over ‘convincing’ his Portugal teammate to join the Catalan giants this summer.
While Bernardo remains an integral first-team star at City, Ortega continues to act as backup to first-choice goalkeeper Ederson and there have been suggestions that the 31-year-old is open to leaving the club in search of regular first-team football.
Meanwhile, star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has been strongly linked with a big-money switch to the Saudi Pro League, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr believed to be one of the clubs interested in his services.
It is thought that Saudi clubs will intensify their pursuit of the 32-year-old if he does not agree to extend his current Man City contract beyond June 2025.
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