Another busy summer transfer window looks to be on the horizon for Manchester City in 2024.
Though the biggest move of the decade has been confirmed with Kylian Mbappe heading to Real Madrid, the summer transfer window actually doesn’t officially open until June 14.
Yet, Manchester City have no doubt already got recruitment plans drafted as they look to maintain their dominance in England ahead of what could be Pep Guardiola’s final season in charge at the club.
But as well as signings, there could well be departures as several first-teamers have already been linked with moves away.
But who should stay and who should go? We’ve gone through the entire City squad and decided which players should be kept and which should be sold.
- Man City summer transfer window 2024: Confirmed signings, departures, loan exits and releases
Goalkeepers
Ederson – Keep
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Ederson may seek a move away if he is offered an interesting proposal but City must do all they can to keep him. The Brazilian is absolutely integral to how they play.
Stefan Ortega – Keep
Back-up Stefan Ortega could also apparently leave if his contract situation isn’t sorted but City must act to resolve it given how crucial he has been as Ederson’s stand-in in recent years.
Scott Carson – Keep
Third-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson has already signed another extension to keep him at the club for another season.
Defenders
Kyle Walker – Keep
After being on the verge of leaving a year ago, Kyle Walker was a near-ever-present last season as he captained the side to glory. A succession plan needs to start being put in place but City should keep his experience and pace.
Ruben Dias – Keep
Things might have been different in the FA Cup final if Ruben Dias started instead as he remains the club’s best centre-back. Keep.
John Stones – Keep
It was a difficult campaign for the injury-bitten John Stones but he remains one of Guardiola’s key players when fully fit. An obvious keep.
Nathan Ake – Keep
The emergence of Josko Gvardiol means Nathan Ake’s spot at left-back has evaporated but his versatility remains extremely useful.
Joao Cancelo – Sell
Joao Cancelo is seemingly never going to play competitively for Guardiola again so City should sell up if they can find a buyer. A contract until 2027 may prevent that, though.
Sergio Gomez – Sell
A victim of City’s shoddy transfer planning after allowing Aleks Zinchenko to leave, Sergio Gomez was never ready to be in the first-team squad and still isn’t now. Sell.
Josko Gvardiol – Keep
A slow start to life at City but a revelation once he figured out the role required of him as an all-action full-back. Still improvements to be made but a big future ahead.
Manuel Akanji – Keep
City’s un-sung hero with the willingness to play any position to help out his team. A very useful asset who is one of the club’s best-ever bargain buys. Keep.
Rico Lewis – Keep
With Walker’s career winding down, next season may offer Rico Lewis the chance to fully break into the side and become a regular. It’s exciting to see how good he will become.
Midfielders
Kalvin Phillips – Sell
Kalvin Phillips’ move to City has been nothing short of a disaster that has completely derailed his career, even if he’s got some medals out of it. A sale would be best for everyone but a loan seems more likely.
Mateo Kovacic – Keep
Took some time to settle into the City midfield but really helped the side out during the high-pressure run-in with his composure and control in the middle of the park. Keep.
Rodri – Keep
Keep at all costs. No player is more important to City than Rodri and letting him leave would be dangerous lunacy.
Kevin De Bruyne – Keep
Kevin De Bruyne has been linked with a move to both Saudi Arabia or the USA this summer. Even if injuries are beginning to catch up, he remains incredible and got six goals and 18 assists in just 26 appearances this past season. There’s plenty left in the tank.
Bernardo Silva – Keep
A transfer window can’t go by without Bernardo Silva being linked away but City should keep him unless an offer too good to turn down comes in. Even then it’d be tough to accept.
Matheus Nunes – Keep
Matheus Nunes didn’t exactly light up the Etihad on his debut season but players should be given a grace period when joining the Guardiola’s complex system. City invested significantly in him, too, so there’s no use giving up just yet.
Maximo Perrone – Loan
Young midfielder Maximo Perrone has had an unspectacular season on loan at Las Palmas. It’s hard to see him getting any action at City so another loan is probably the way to go.
Oscar Bobb – Keep
With a new long-term contract already signed after his breakout season, Oscar Bobb is set to reach even more impressive heights next season. Keep.
James McAtee – Loan
James McAtee had a difficult season on loan at lowly Sheffield United but he remains a talented player and City may regret letting him leave permanently before another loan stint.
Forwards
Erling Haaland – Keep
Obviously. Why would you sell the best striker on the planet?
Jack Grealish – Keep
This one could go either way but Jack Grealish is just too talented to sell. His last season was underwhelming as he dealt with injuries but no forward helps City’s overall game tick better.
Jeremy Doku – Keep
A promising debut campaign. Jeremy Doku does have shortfalls but a winger with such pace and skill always comes in handy. Hopefully, another season under Guardiola can improve his game further.
Julian Alvarez – Keep
Unfortunate to lose his place towards the end of the campaign, Julian Alvarez stepped up when Haaland and De Bruyne were sidelined and finished the season with 19 goals and 13 assists.
Phil Foden – Keep
The local hero is going nowhere.
