Manchester City 's elimination in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup against Al Hilal will remain one of the most unexpected and disconcerting episodes of the Guardiola era. Beaten by an opponent who was certainly talented but largely underdogs, the European champions seemed short of ideas, rhythm, and intensity in a match where their technical superiority never really counted. This premature setback, in a competition the club approached with ambition, sent shockwaves internally and forced accelerated reflection on the structure and dynamics of the squad. This disillusionment, beyond its symbolic significance, could prove to be formative for the summer transfer window. If the sporting management wishes to avoid a season of transition, it must adapt a squad that has shown signs of mental and tactical exhaustion. The priority will not necessarily be to recruit en masse, but rather to close ranks, refine profiles, and revive certain young players. It is in this context, tinged with questioning rather than panic, that Manchester City's approach to this transfer market is taking place.
Aware that an electroshock was needed after a generally disappointing 2024-25 season - marked by a loss of the Premier League title , a Champions League quarter-final elimination and therefore this Club World Cup humiliation - Manchester City was quick to react in the market. The club quickly completed the arrivals of two French talents: Rayan Cherki, recruited to inject creativity and imbalance into the attacking zones, and Rayan Aït-Nouri, a complete left-back capable of bringing a new dynamic to a flank that often lacked cutting edge last season. These two recruits are part of a clear desire for regeneration, both technical and mental, to correct the excesses of a season where Guardiola's collective never really found its balance.
The market is open!
The first major trend emerging from City this summer is the desire to retain the backbone of the squad while reducing its numbers. John Stones, Ilkay Gündogan, and Ederson have publicly reiterated their commitment to staying, a sign that the dressing room is closed to any major departures—an important factor as Pep Guardiola seeks to reduce the size of his squad. Even Oscar Bobb, considered by the manager as a "new signing" after an injury-plagued 2024-25 season, has insisted he will stay to finally explode. At the same time, the staff is juggling the future of its youngsters: Claudio Echeverri, brilliant but still stuck in attack, is expected to go on loan to gain playing time, while Nico O'Reilly and Rico Lewis – both trained at the club and therefore valuable for the "homegrown" player rule – could be kept on as versatile understudies, even if the arrival of Rayan Aït-Nouri on the left complicates things for O'Reilly.
The priority area of the transfer window, however, remains the right-back position. Guardiola has praised Matheus Nunes's adaptation to this hybrid role and knows he can count on Lewis as an alternative, but a top-level specialist would refine the team's balance; Tino Livramento's name is circulating, despite Newcastle's inflexibility. Much will also depend on the fate of the number 2 goalkeeper: Stefan Ortega has not ruled out a departure and, if this is confirmed, City will seek a reliable replacement without regular status. On the exit side, the Gündogan case is intriguing: the captain is considering staying for one last season before, perhaps, joining the staff in 2026. Also on the transfer list are Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, and James McAtee, while young Vitor Reis, who arrived in January, is also expected to be loaned out to continue his development. With competition fierce in the Premier League, City has no room for error this summer. The ongoing adjustments must quickly bear fruit, especially since the coming season could be Guardiola's last at the helm of the project. More than just a transfer window, the Sky Blues are orchestrating a strategic transition.
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