Five players who could leave Manchester City as Guardiola demands sales | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has declared that he will ‘quit’ Manchester City if he is forced to work with an oversized squad next season.

The Spaniard’s comments are sure to attract interest from rival clubs, with the prospect of several stars being placed up for sale. Kevin De Bruyne’s absence has been confirmed with the midfielder’s contract not renewed, but who could follow the Belgian out of the Etihad?

We’ve looked at five players who could leave Manchester City this summer.

Five players who could leave Manchester City as Pep Guardiola demands sales

Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish’s omission from the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace was perhaps the clearest indication of his current status at the Etihad. Grealish remained an unused substitute even as City chased the game, with 19-year-old Claudio Echeverri thrown on for his debut ahead of the England winger in a desperate roll of the dice.

Grealish was a record-breaking signing for Manchester City and has, in silverware terms, achieved a lot. Three league titles and a treble-winning campaign have justified his exit from Aston Villa, though he’s failed to live up to initial expectations at the Etihad.

This season, he’s started just seven Premier League games, scoring just once and providing a solitary assist. With the 2026 World Cup looming next summer, he needs games to remain in contention for the England squad.

John Stones

John Stones is another who could be sacrificed this summer with the defender plagued by fitness problems. Stones has started just 18 league games across the last two seasons and has not made more than 25 appearances in a Premier League campaign since his debut season at the Etihad in 2016/17.

The England centre-back will turn 31 later this month and with Josko Gvardiol spending increased time in a central role, this summer could be the time to part ways with a fine servant. Stones is one of the best defenders in the league when fit. The issue is he’s rarely fit for sustained periods.

Ilkay Gundogan

They say in football you should never go back and Ilkay Gundogan might feel that rings true.

Gundogan departed as a modern great in 2023, having captained the Citizens to treble success. After an impressive single-season with Barcelona, he returned to Manchester City on a free transfer last summer as the Spaniards sought to cut costs and City targeted midfield depth.

Gundogan, however, has struggled to replicate past performances with the 34-year-old symbolic of a Manchester City midfield that has looked aged this season. He’s triggered a one-year extension in his deal but a move could suit all parties. A refresh of Pep Guardiola’s engine room is expected.

James McAtee

James McAtee needs regular first-team football and it looks unlikely to present itself in City colours. The 22-year-old has impressed in cameos this season, scoring seven times despite only nine starts, but a lack of football needs addressing in the summer. McAtee has played just 343 minutes of Premier League football in 2024/25 and was left out of the matchday squad for the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

With Phil Foden, Savinho and Jeremy Doku all ahead of him in the pecking order, McAtee’s minutes are unlikely to increase significantly next season. Leeds United have been linked with a £25m move for the England u-21 international.

Oscar Bobb

Oscar Bobb looked set for a breakthrough campaign this season after shining in pre-season for Manchester City.

A fractured leg sustained in training in August decimated his season with Bobb having only recently returned. Having missed a full season of development as he recovered, the talented Norwegian will be desperate to make up for lost time.

Hopes remain high that Bobb can become a first-team star with the Citizens but a loan move may be best for his development next season. There will be a queue of clubs interested if he’s made availalbe for a temporary move.

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