Pep Guardiola would’ve wanted this year’s summer transfer window to be smooth sailing, but it has only been nothing but that. As we enter crucial weeks of the transfer window, the odds are against the treble winners as they continue their search for the potential Erling Haaland signing for the new season.
Fans who buy City tickets each season were anxious for a while. But the announcement of the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig would have calmed their nerves.
With the big signing set to be official, City is still pursuing a handful of targets. The club opted not to buy Declan Rice, opting out to compete with Arsenal after West Ham indicated they wanted more, but the transfer window is still ongoing.
Here’s a look at what’s happening with Manchester City and their ongoing transfers.
Josko Gvardiol – Done Deal!
Manchester City is close to buying Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig. Fabrizio Romano, a reputable football journalist, confirmed that the club reached an agreement with RB Leipzig. Gvardiol has already completed the first part of his medical tests, and the deal is on the verge of being signed.
The 21-year-old defender had agreed to personal terms with Manchester City a month ago.
Adding Gvardiol will further strengthen Manchester City’s already formidable defense, which had one of the best records in Europe last season. He is a ready-made replacement for Aymeric Laporte, linked with moving away from the club.
However, some questions have been raised by Arsenal legend Alan Smith over the move. He believes that center-back is the last area Manchester City should consider strengthening, considering the quality of defenders they already have, such as John Stones, Nathan Ake, Akanji, and Ruben Dias.
Smith even jokingly suggested that Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, might sign Gvardiol and play him in midfield to surprise everyone.
Despite the questions raised, Gvardiol’s imminent arrival at Manchester City significantly boosts the team’s defensive options ahead of the new season.
Riyad Mahrez Leaves
Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez will join Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia in a £30 million buy deal. The 32-year-old Algerian international has already agreed to personal terms with the Saudi club. Mahrez has been permitted to skip Manchester City’s pre-season trip to Japan and South Korea as the transfer buy deal nears completion.
The decision to leave City comes after Mahrez was left out of the starting lineups for the Champions League and FA Cup finals. Despite making 47 appearances and contributing with 15 goals and 13 assists in all competitions last season, he was not selected in the crucial matches. This decision left Mahrez frustrated, and he informed City manager Pep Guardiola of his desire to leave the club in the summer.
Guardiola is reportedly content with Mahrez’s departure as Al Ahli matched City’s asking price. The £30 million buy deal will see Riyad Mahrez become the latest high-profile transfer in the Gulf State. Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Neves are notable players who have made similar transfers to Saudi Arabia.
City look for Raphinha to replace Mahrez
Manchester City is considering a move for Barcelona’s winger Raphinha as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who will join Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Pep Guardiola admires Raphinha’s abilities, and City is weighing up a potential £40 million deal for the Brazilian winger.
Barcelona’s financial struggles may force them to sell players, and Raphinha could be one of those to be offloaded. The 26-year-old winger had an impressive season with Barcelona, contributing ten goals and 12 assists in 50 appearances.
Mahrez joined City from Leicester in 2018 for £60 million and had a successful tenure, making 236 appearances and scoring 78 goals. He won numerous trophies, including four Premier League titles, three League Cups, two FA Cups, and the Champions League.
The move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli will offer Mahrez a lucrative two-year deal worth £40 million per season. The Saudi club, recently promoted, has been actively acquiring stars from the Premier League with the support of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which aims to elevate the level of football by bringing in top-quality players.
Bernado Silva – Transfer?
According to reports from TuttoMercatoWeb, Manchester City is eyeing to buy Inter Milan midfielder Nicolò Barella as the primary target if they sell Bernardo Silva this summer. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is keen on signing Silva and is willing to offer a substantial €100 million for the Portuguese star’s services.
If Silva moves to PSG, Man City must find a suitable replacement in midfield, and Barella has emerged as the primary target. The 26-year-old Italian has been an integral part of Inter Milan since joining in 2019, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A. His contract with Inter runs until the summer of 2026.
Pep Guardiola reportedly supports the move for Barella, recognizing his unique qualities even though he plays differently from Silva. While Silva is known for his playmaking abilities and technical skills, Barella is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder who contributes to the team’s efforts all over the pitch.
Regarding the potential transfer fee, Inter Milan wants to demand a significant amount, potentially similar to the €120 million that Arsenal paid for signing Declan Rice from West Ham. However, this hefty sum could be challenging for Inter due to its financial situation.
Tough Pre-season for Guardiola
City’s pre-season tour of Asia will allow the team to get back on the field and showcase their brilliance. The team has been relatively quiet in the transfer window, except for Kovacic’s arrival as Gundogan’s replacement.
While City remains miles ahead of their Premier League rivals, other teams like Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle have been strengthening their squads, narrowing the gap. Pre-season will allow City to assess their squad and line up the team for the upcoming season.
Overall, City’s pre-season will be crucial in adjusting to the changes in their squad and preparing for the challenges ahead. It will be interesting to see how Pep Guardiola lines up his midfield and how the team copes with the departure of key players like Gundogan. Despite the changes, City remains a formidable force, and their pre-season performances could reveal the potential of the new-look lineup.
City tour and new season
Fans looking to buy Manchester City tickets for the upcoming friendlies and opening games of the 2023/24 season might have to act fast as the Etihad tickets are continuing to become expensive. Tickets are available to buy on trusted reseller platforms and official sources.