The 2024-25 season is finally over for Manchester City and it won’t be missed by many at the club.
Injuries, an FA Cup final defeat and some games so poor that City were barely recognisable left a sour taste in the mouth as they went trophyless for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut season in 2016-17.
Attention immediately turns to the Club World Cup, which could net the club a massive £97million if they triumph in the United States. But before then, they have a mini-transfer window to get on with.
Kevin De Bruyne has already announced his emotional goodbye, and will need to be replaced this summer.
With Rodri back there will be big hopes to regain their Premier League crown next season, but reinforcements will be needed.
Here, our City expert JACK GAUGHAN answers the big questions facing City this summer.
The 2024-25 season is finally over for Man City and it won’t be missed by many at the club
Rodri’s serious knee injury against Arsenal in September was the death knell for Manchester City’s bid to win a fifth successive Premier League title – with the club ultimately finishing third
Victory at Fulham on Sunday sealed third place for Man City and a Champions League place
What do Manchester City need this summer?
That actually depends on who you talk to. Pep Guardiola has used press conferences in recent weeks to maintain that he wants a smaller squad – although had previously conceded that City needed additional numbers next season – and after the final-day victory at Fulham, said he doesn’t expect a huge raft of new signings.
But that may differ from the ideas of new director of football, Hugo Viana. Guardiola has been at pains to say he’s offered the hierarchy his opinion on transfer business while maintaining any moves are ultimately ‘club decisions’.
City need to replenish their stocks in midfield, with as many as three targeted in that area, while at least one full back will join.
Others, like a goalkeeper, depend on outgoings. Their first transfer window, pre-Club World Cup, ends on June 10.
How big is their budget and is PSR a major concern?
The budget in January, around £200million, became obvious in December but the summer figures are a little trickier owing to the fact that quite a lot is up in the air and somewhat complicated by the trip to America for a tournament the club simultaneously want and could do without.
PSR is not a huge concern but the verdict from their hearing with the Premier League has to be. That dragging on will naturally provoke some uncertainty.
Until now, City have appeared to continue down the same path with plans both in the market and infrastructurally.
What is becoming apparent with who they are looking at, and more pointedly, who could go, is a streamlining of the wage bill, which in the last set of accounts stood at £412m (down from £422m in the Treble campaign, heavily boosted by bonuses).
Kevin De Bruyne and others leaving will trim more than £1m a week in that regard and opting for younger talents will decrease the outlay on salaries by some margin. City’s contracts are incentivised and increase over time.
Incoming City director of football Hugo Viana, who will replace Txiki Begiristain
Pep Guardiola has been at pains to say he’s offered the hierarchy his opinion on transfer business while maintaining any moves are ultimately ‘club decisions’
Who are they interested in?
AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders is viewed as somebody who can offer more goal threat from midfield after netting 15 times this season.
Interest in Morgan Gibbs-White at Nottingham Forest is long-standing and it would now represent a surprise if City didn’t attempt to finalise that deal over the coming weeks.
Rayan Cherki at Lyon is on a list in a more creative role after City pulled out of the race to land Bayer Leverkusen’s Germany international Florian Wirtz, citing the finances involved.
Wolves left back Rayan Ait-Nouri, renowned for his attacking attributes, is one never far away from a City wish list.
Wesley at Flamengo has been watched, with Newcastle and England’s Tino Livramento admired.
Homegrown players could become even more important – dependent on who opts for a new challenge elsewhere.
AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders is viewed as somebody who can offer more goal threat from midfield after netting 15 times this season
Rayan Cherki at Lyon is on a list in a more creative role after City pulled out of the race to land Bayer Leverkusen’s Germany international Florian Wirtz
It would be a surprise if City do not attempt to finalise a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White in the next few weeks
Which young players could break out next season to fill gaps in the first-team squad?
It’s unlikely that we’ll see more breakout stars in the coming season given Nico O’Reilly’s early emergence – starring as a left back – and because of Oscar Bobb missing an entire campaign.
Bobb was going to head into the season with the right wing spot nailed down, only to suffer a freak training ground injury and then battling with numerous setbacks.
Eyebrows were raised that Bobb was not included in the squad for Fulham but he is expected to flourish at the Club World Cup after international commitments with Norway.
Which players are set to leave?
Kevin De Bruyne’s off to Napoli, Kalvin Phillips will be on his way elsewhere again and Kyle Walker is not returning. That’s three before you start.
Then it is whether Ederson is given the huge Saudi Arabia offers again in the goalkeeping department. If he stays, does Stefan Ortega agitate for a No 1 spot elsewhere?
Guardiola wants players who can be relied upon and has barely been able to pick John Stones or Nathan Ake this season.
Oscar Bobb was going to head into the season with the right wing spot nailed down, only to suffer a freak training ground injury and then battling with numerous setbacks
Abdukodir Khusanov (left) and Vitor Reis (right) only joined in January but will they still be at Manchester City when next season begins?
Jack Grealish (left) is on his way out, while Mateo Kovacic (right) will have interest from European clubs
John Stones and Nathan Ake have not been reliable enough for Guardiola this season
Jack Grealish is on his way out too, while Mateo Kovacic will have interest from European clubs.
James McAtee’s future appears to lie away from the Etihad Stadium. And it will be intriguing to see if both Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis – the two young central defensive signings in January – are still at City once the Premier League campaign starts.
Matheus Nunes had been uneasy about his role in January although has often operated at right back since.
In total, that could be as many as nine. Could being the operative word, of course.
