Etihad exodus? 

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Perhaps the most consequential story in English football for quite some time erupted on to the scene on Monday night, when numerous reports from across the British media stated that Pep Guardiola will step down as Manchester City manager at the end of the season. Since making the move to the Etihad club in 2016, the Spanish manager has more or less enjoyed unrivalled success in the Premier League, picking up a total of 15 trophies across all competitions. His hand-picked successor seems to be former Leicester City and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, but nothing has yet been confirmed by the club or either coach.

Guardiola’s departure will not only leave a huge power vacuum at the top of English football but could also lead to a huge shake-up among Man City’s squad. Despite the club having an extensive recruitment department, Guardiola has always had a huge influence over the players that were signed for his squad. As such, his departure in the next few months could lead to several big stars following him out the exit door. So, which key players look most likely to leave Man City this summer? Based on player performances, stats and transfer rumours surrounding each player, we’ve picked five potential sales.

Rumour
	J. Gvardiol
	Centre-Back
Man City ? Real Madrid Premier League LaLiga

The first name on the list is perhaps the one that is attracting the most interest at this moment in time. Reports in Spain have quickly linked Josko Gvardiol with a move to Real Madrid, with AS suggesting that the defender’s agent has been exploring a move away from the Premier League. Coincidentally, a very similar story then popped up in German newspaper BILD, suggesting that the Croatian international could be on his way to Bayern Munich. Despite his obvious talent, Gvardiol has been somewhat squeezed out of Man City’s starting XI due to the emergence of Nico O’Reilly at left-back and the arrival of Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guéhi in the centre of defence. Unless the next manager explicitly convinces him that he’ll be a starter next season, a summer move for Gvardiol seems likely.

Rumour
	T. Reijnders
	Central Midfield
Man City ? Juventus Premier League Serie A

Despite joining the club less than a year ago for no less than €55 million, Tijjani Reijnders’ stock has quickly gone from sky high to rock bottom at the Etihad. Once a consistent starter for Guardiola’s side, the Netherlands international has spent much of the second half of the season sitting on the bench at Man City and has subsequently started just one of the club’s last 12 league games. This has led to speculation linking Reijnders with a departure from the club this summer and a return to Serie A, with reports this month suggesting that Juventus could look to sign the former AC Milan star at the end of the season.

Rumour
	O. Marmoush
	Centre-Forward
Man City   27 % Barcelona Premier League LaLiga

Another big-money signing that simply hasn’t worked out is Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush. Signed in January of 2025 for an eye-watering €75m, the former Bundesliga hitman has since tumbled down the pecking order in Guardiola’s side and started just 22% of Man City’s league games this season. A new manager may look to Marmoush as a key player next season, but it seems unlikely with Jérémy Doku, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo all fighting for spots in the front three. With persistent links to top European clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, it seems more than likely that Man City will cash in on the forward in the coming months.

Rumour
	J. Trafford
	Goalkeeper
Man City ? Brighton Premier League Premier League

Few Man City players can feel more hard-done by than James Trafford this season. After being convinced to ditch Burnley to return to his boyhood club last year in a €31.2m deal, the promises of starting between the posts for Guardiola’s side quickly went up in smoke when a last-minute deal for Paris Saint-Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma fell into place on deadline day. As such, Trafford has started just 8% of Man City’s league games this season and will likely depart for a club in need of a starting goalkeeper, such as Brighton, Aston Villa or Tottenham in the summer window.

Rumour
	P. Foden
	Attacking Midfield
Man City   15 % Bayern Munich Premier League Bundesliga

While few would doubt that on his day, Phil Foden is one of the most exceptionally gifted No.10s in the world, there may be some concern over his future at Man City should Guardiola depart this summer. Foden has been used sparingly this season – he’s started just 61% of Man City’s league games – but has always been a player that the Spanish tactician has favoured and somewhat protected from being overplayed. That privileged position in Man City’s team may then be under threat when a new manager arrives and demands dependable players who can win him games. And, should the Stockport-born talent concede that his standing in the squad may take a dent under the next manager, Foden may be tempted to look at his options this summer. In recent months, he’s been heavily linked with moves to Atlético and Bayern, but more clubs would surely join that queue if Foden was put up for sale.