It’s not been the busiest of transfer windows for Manchester City this summer, even if the remarkable return of Ilkay Gundogan has left fans very excited.
After a couple of seasons of massive changes to the squad with big-time signings and major departures, Manchester City have had a much more low-key summer in 2024 with little upheaval.
Though there have been several exits, Julian Alvarez’s move to Atletico Madrid is the only departure that will have an actual impact on Pep Guardiola’s side.
Savinho, the exciting winger who City agreed to sign from Troyes back in February, had already replenished the attacking numbers before the Argentine had even left.
The surprise and heroic return of Ilkay Gundogan to City after a year at Barcelona livened things up, though, and fans have been left ecstatic by the signing.
Guardiola believes it’s unlikely City will make any more first-team additions but you never say never in football and until the window is closed anything is possible.
With that in mind, here are three deals City could still complete on transfer deadline day.
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Kyogo Furuhashi – Celtic
If City are light on any areas then it is up front following Alvarez’s departure.
That leaves just Erling Haaland as City’s only natural striking option and they would be in trouble if he were to face any prolonged periods on the sideline like he did last season.
Phil Foden and Gundogan are capable of playing as false 9s and Savinho has played up front on a couple of occasions but none of those options are ideal for a significant chunk of the season, especially as it would mean a change of system.
So a skilled striker but one who is happy to play second fiddle to Haaland would be a perfect final signing and Kyogo Furuhashi has been strongly linked.
The Japanese striker has 73 goals in three seasons at Celtic and is capable of playing anywhere across attack.
If there is any signing on deadline day it seems likely to be Kyogo but Celtic’s asking price may scare City off.
- Who is Kyogo Furuhashi? All you need to know about the Celtic goal machine linked with a Man City transfer
Orri Oskarsson – FC Copenhagen
The other striker on City’s wishlist is reportedly FC Copenhagen starlet Orri Oskarsson.
City has narrowed their striker shortlist down to two, with a younger name alongside Kyogo, and that appears to be Oskarsson.
The Icelander is just 19 but already has 23 goals and nine assists to his name in the Copenhagen first team, with one of those set-ups coming against City in the Champions League last season.
David Ornstein reports City are ‘firm admirers’ of the £20m-rated Oskarsson but the likes of Real Sociedad, Porto and other Premier League teams are also eyeing his progress.
Like with Kyogo, it’s reported that any deal for Oskarsson is unlikely this summer.
Divin Mubama
- Who is Divin Mubama? All you need to know about the ‘great’ West Ham starlet who has signed for Man City
As well as first-team signings, City haven’t even made moves to bring in youth players this summer as they have done in the past.
The Blues are always on the lookout for the game’s hottest talent to add to their Elite Development Squad, to either sell at a big profit years down the line – like Liam Delap this summer – or to even break into the first team like Oscar Bobb.
While there have been no signings of the sort yet, that could change with the expected arrival of Divin Mubama.
The highly-rated striker was West Ham’s most exciting prospect and had impressed in the first team but allowed his contract to expire this summer to seek a big move.
This deal has already happened after Mubama confirmed it himself on Instagram but City are yet to officially reveal the signing so an announcement may yet come on deadline day.
City have won the race with European competition for the 19-year-old’s signature and the deal is awaiting a rubber stamp. City will pay a £1.2m development fee to West Ham.
Possible departures
The business City are more likely to be involved in on deadline day is that of players heading in the opposite direction.
The most likely major departure could be Matheus Nunes, who struggled to make an impact in his debut season and has been linked with a departure.
Atletico Madrid have been the most interested team but their move for Sofyan Amrabat could end their pursuit of Nunes.
Otherwise, we may see more of the club’s youngsters head out on loan to the EFL or even elsewhere in Europe. Issa Kibore, Joshua Wilson-Esbrand, Jadel Katongo, Jacob Wright, Will Dickson and others may all head out for experience elsewhere.
