Manchester City make John Stones transfer decision as up to 10 first-team players could exit | OneFootball

Up to as many as 10 first-team players could exit Manchester City over the course of the summer transfer window, it has been reported.

It is a significant summer of expected change across multiple areas of Manchester City’s first-team operation, largely sparked by the difficulties seen over the 2024/25 season that ended without a major trophy to the club’s name for the first time since 2017.

In the boardroom, Hugo Viana – formerly of Sporting CP in Portugal – is set to replace Txiki Begiristain as City’s director of football after the 60-year-old brings an end to his 13-year association with the Etihad Stadium.

Over on the bench and those working closest to Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have announced all of Juanma Lillo, Inigo Dominguez, and Carlos Vicens have left their respective positions within the backroom staff inside the first-team circle, with replacements expected.

And that is before considering the wholesale alterations that have long been anticipated in the playing squad, with Kevin De Bruyne sparking the first of numerous exits after City officials opted not to extend the 33-year-old’s contract beyond the end of June.

Now, according to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo‘ on X, John Stones will be allowed to leave this summer, and as many as 10 first-team squad players will also be granted a way out of the Etihad during the market.

It is revealed that City are hopeful that a FIFA World Cup taking place next year will encourage some of their unwanted players to find other clubs this summer as they aim to stake a claim for a place at the tournament with their respective nations.

Further departures including Stones would pave the way for blockbuster signings into the squad, several of which are already being worked upon by the likes of Hugo Viana and are advancing as planned in the lead up to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Tijjani Reijnders has long been viewed as the priority target in the centre of the park, while Rayan Cherki has recently emerged as the leading candidate for the attacking midfield role, with additions also expected in both full-back roles.

At the same time, City will remain open to sales, and making up the remainder of the suggested 10 possible exits are likely to be: Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips, Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake, and Matheus Nunes.

It is highly unlikely that all of the aforementioned 10 names within this report will exit during the same summer transfer window, with Pep Guardiola conscious of welcoming in a new generation at a steady rate whilst maintaining experience in his ranks.