Friday, April 19, 2024

Who could Pep Guardiola be looking to move on from Manchester City this summer?

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Eventually claiming what was an action-packed 4-3 win against Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first-leg on Tuesday night, Manchester City have their sights set on completing a European and domestic double this season.

Still holding a one-point buffer at the top of the Premier League table, Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad do appear to be on the verge of an historic campaign at the Etihad.

Heavily linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland, many are expecting what could be a blockbuster summer in the blue half of Manchester.

However, while City could see a host of big-name stars arrive through their doors ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, we have taken a look at a handful of players who could be on their way out.

Gabriel Jesus

Despite once again finding the net against Spanish giants Real Madrid on Tuesday night, it appears that a free-scoring Gabriel Jesus could be on his way out of the Etihad over the coming weeks.

With The Daily Mail breaking the news last week that Guardiola’s side are inching closer to a record-breaking £500,000-per-week deal for Haaland this summer, the 25-year-old could find chances hard to come by next season.

Watching the former Barcelona boss often elect to play either Kevin De Bruyne or Phil Foden as a false nine, it has been heavily suggested over the past few days that Jesus will not be short of options this summer.

Apparently stating to City that he is not interested in signing an extension, the 54-cap international has racked up three Premier League titles since arriving at the Etihad back in 2017.

While Guardiola might have constantly stated that he wants Jesus to stay in Manchester past the summer, The Athletic reported last weekend that Arsenal are confident they can strike a shock deal for the 25-year-old.

Nathan Ake

With defensive talisman Ruben Dias dealing with a long-term hamstring injury over recent months, there is no doubt that Nathan Ake has done an eye-catching job of covering in Manchester City’s defence.

However, although the Dutch international might have received plenty of praise from Guardiola, Ake is still considered the Sky Blues’ fourth-choice central defender, behind the likes of John Stones and Aymeric Laporte.

Arriving at the Etihad back in August 2020 for a fee in the region of £40million, the 27-year-old could be another realistic first-team star that Guardiola is looking to move on this summer.

Already claiming a Premier League and EFL Cup medal since making the move from Bournemouth, it has been reported that West Ham are keen on striking a deal for the 25-cap international.

Along with it being reported that the Hammers were trying to push through a potential swoop during the January transfer window, The Times reported last week that Ake is a top target for David Moyes’ Europa League semi-finalists over the coming weeks.

Fernandinho

While it might remain to be seen whether Jesus or Ake will make the move away from Manchester City this summer, it appears all but certain that Fernandinho will be ending a stunning career at the Etihad in a few weeks’ time.

Leaving Guardiola shocked after making his intentions clear prior to the Sky Blues’ Champions League second-leg against Atletico Madrid earlier in the month, the Brazilian midfielder looks set to be heading back to his homeland.

Signing a one-year contract extension last summer, the 36-year-old has undoubtedly played a huge role in City’s domestic romp since arriving at the Etihad from Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2013.

Still in possession of City’s captain’s armband, Fernandinho has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and six EFL Cup titles during his nine-year stay in Manchester.

Admitting that he is looking for regular first-team action when he returns to Brazil this summer, it looks like Guardiola could already be eyeing up a long-term replacement.

The Daily Mail reported over the weekend that West Ham’s Declan Rice is a £100million target.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Dunstan


Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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