Manchester City are braced for a busy summer in the transfer window as they gear up for the dawn of a new era. The Blues saw Pep Guardiola depart last month after a glorious decade at the helm, with incoming boss Enzo Maresca tasked as the man to fill the Catalan's shoes. The Italian inherits a squad in good shape after a domestic cup double last season, as well as a Premier League title charge, but there remain plenty of questions heading into the new campaign. Here's our squad stocktake and a look at where City might need to strengthen in the summer window.
Goalkeepers
A lot will depend on the future of James Trafford. City would love to keep the England international but that feels unlikely given his ambitions of being number one for club and country. Newcastle United are keen on the 23-year-old who returned to the Etihad a year ago when the Blues exercised their matching rights as part of the deal that took him to Burnley in 2023. If Trafford did depart, City would need to look for a replacement prepared to be an understudy to the undisputed first choice, Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Blues have been linked with Sheffield Wednesday stopper Pierce Charles, who has impressed in trying circumstances for the Owls and came through the ranks at the Etihad before leaving for Yorkshire in 2021. Charles would also qualify as a homegrown player, with City only able to name a maximum of 17 players who did not fulfil the Premier League quota in their 25-man squad, of which Trafford was one. Marcus Bettinelli will remain at the club as an experienced third-choice option. Oliver Whatmuff, 18, shone during a loan spell for Rochdale last season, helping them win promotion to the Football League and could come into consideration as an option, but it could be too soon for him to remain at the Etihad as part of the senior set-up.
Defence
City are blessed at centre back, particularly if Ruben Dias stays amid speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. The Portugal international is a potential City captain after the departure of Bernardo Silva and brings obvious leadership ability to the backline. Marc Guehi, who joined in January, will head into this first full season at the Etihad as first choice at the back, while Abdukodir Khusanov continues to go from strength to strength. Add in the fit again Josko Gvardiol, who has agreed a contract extension through to 2031, and the Blues are well stocked even if they lose the reliable Nathan Ake, who is likely to depart as he enters the final year of his contract. Vitor Reis and Juma Bah return from loan spells at Girona and Nice respectively with a chance to potentially make the step up into the first team reckoning, while Max Alleyne and Stephen Mfuni, who both spent time on loan at Watford in the Championship last season, are other senior contenders.
At full back, Mathues Nunes enjoyed the best season of his City career last year and has nailed down the right back spot. The Blues would like to add another option in the window, with the aim of signing a player able to grow into the role and compete with Nunes. The likes of Feyenoord youngster Givairo Read have been linked with the Etihad, while Atalanta's Marco Palestra is a player of interest, although it looks as though Inter Milan might win that transfer race. City do have Rico Lewis, who broke through into the first team at right back but sees his future in midfield. It remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old will be at the Etihad next season having struggled for minutes last term. He signed a new long-term contract last September, having been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest, and will likely weigh up his options this summer while also seeking out incoming boss Enzo Maresca as to whether he features in the Italian's plans.
On the opposite side, Nico O'Reilly's sensational rise has seen him go to the World Cup as England's starting left-back and he will begin next season as City's first choice in that position. Rayan Ait-Nouri, signed last summer, offers an experienced alternative, even if the Algerian will be hoping for more after a stop-start debut campaign at the Etihad. Gvardiol is also capable of playing at left back.
Midfield
The biggest uncertainty in City's squad is central midfield following Bernardo Silva's departure. Rodri has shown signs of getting back to his best but continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid and is entering the final 12 months of his contract. It still feels likely that the Spain international will stay at the Etihad, and he offers a world-class option in the middle of the park. City are seeking to add reinforcements in the engine room with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson the top target. Two bids for the England international have already been knocked back but there remains a belief that there is a deal to be done. The Blues also have an interest in Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, with Spurs having had an £80m bid rejected for the Italy international. Eddie Howe's side are holding out for £100m but will sell the 26-year-old at the right price. Any prospective City deal for Tonali would be in addition to Anderson, not instead of.
Whether City add one or two central midfielders, there will be knock-on effects on the current crop. Nico Gonzalez fell down the pecking order in 2026 and there are question marks over his future just 18 months after he arrived from Porto. Tijjani Reijnders didn't quite do enough to cement himself as a regular starter but the Netherlands international is more likely than not to stay at the Etihad, but the 27-year-old is another who has been linked with an exit. Mateo Kovacic barely featured last season and the Croat is in the final year of his contract. His experience could prove vital for a squad hoping to challenge on four fronts. And Kalvin Phillips is still a City player, but has no future at the club. Things are a bit clearer further forward with Rayan Cherki having enjoyed a dream debut campaign and the France international hoping to build on that next season. Phil Foden is set to sign a new contract and he will be bidding to rediscover some form after a difficult few months.
Beneath the first team, City must decide the best course of action for talented prospects Claudio Echeverri and Sverre Nypan, both of whom endured difficult loan spells last season. The pair could well go on City's summer tour but at this stage loan moves look the most likely course of action for both. Charlie Gray is perhaps best placed to break through from the academy, having made his senior debut last season while Divine Mukasa is highly thought of and has signed a contract extension. He will be hoping for first team opportunities, but, having played on loan at Leicester last season, could well return to the Championship on loan.
Strikers
Erling Haaland. We could end it there, but there probably is more to be said than that. Haaland will again be the undisputed first choice up front. Omar Marmoush is likely to continue in the role of understudy while also offering an option out wide. City will look to strengthen with another winger with Savinho expected to depart, but in Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku, they have two excellent starting options on the flank. Foden is another alternative out wide. Ryan McAidoo is perhaps the most talented of City's attacking options in the academy and scored on his first team debut in the 10-1 win over Exeter City in the FA Cup in January.
