Manchester City have five players entering the final year of their contracts, with significant decisions to be made as the club transitions into a new era under manager Enzo Maresca, following a decade under Pep Guardiola. The Blues are set to complete the £116 million signing of Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson in the coming days, and may add another midfielder, a right back, and a winger to their shopping list.
Uncertainty Surrounds Key Players
There is uncertainty around several players at the Etihad, with Tottenham Hotspur keen on Savinho, Ruben Dias and Rodri linked with Real Madrid, and questions over the futures of Nico Gonzalez, Omar Marmoush, and Tijjani Reijnders. City have a strong squad foundation, as evidenced by winning a domestic cup double last season and taking the Premier League title race to the final week. However, the contract situations of five players need resolution.
Nathan Ake: Likely Departure
Defender Nathan Ake is expected to depart in search of more regular game time. The 31-year-old was knocked out of the World Cup with the Netherlands, and decisions on his future will likely be made in the next few weeks. He has admirers. Ake's future could be influenced by Ruben Dias, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. City want to keep Dias, and he could be named club captain next season. If Dias departs, Ake could fill the void as a fourth senior centre-back, with Marc Guehi, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Josko Gvardiol firmly in the picture.
Phil Foden: Contract Extension Expected
Phil Foden is perhaps the player with the most concrete outlook for next term. The 26-year-old struggled for form in the second half of last season and hasn't hit the heights that earned him the Premier League Player of the Year award in 2024, but he has shown patches of his generational talent. The club and player have broadly agreed terms over a new contract. Foden is a boyhood Blue and is set to continue his time with the club.
Mateo Kovacic: Uncertain Future
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic barely featured last season due to injuries but was preferred to Nico Gonzalez during the run-in. He offers experience and discipline as a holding midfield option, but the arrival of Elliot Anderson adds more competition in midfield. It seems unlikely Kovacic will get a new deal, so player and club must decide whether the parting of ways comes this summer or next.
Rodri: The Great Unknown
Rodri's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent months, fueled by the player himself speaking candidly about potentially playing in Madrid while on international duty. City would love to keep the 30-year-old and ideally extend his contract, but the need for surgery after the World Cup may deter potential suitors. Anderson's arrival could ease the burden on Rodri, and there were signs in the closing weeks of last season that the Spain international was returning to his best after a cruciate injury. Real Madrid's interest is likely to remain, and while a move this summer seems less probable, the question of what happens in 2027 remains unanswered.
Marcus Bettinelli: Likely to Stay
Veteran goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli fills the modern Premier League role of a homegrown qualified player content with a watching brief, providing an experienced hand, knowledge, and leadership to maintain training standards. He seems certain to stay at the club before a decision is taken next summer on whether the then 35-year-old departs or agrees a new 12-month contract.
