As the summer transfer window approaches, Manchester City appear to be on the brink of a significant squad overhaul. After years of dominance under Pep Guardiola, the Citizens are facing reality: their championship-winning squad is aging, and fresh blood is needed to maintain their position at the pinnacle of English and European football.
The most intriguing development comes between the posts. According to recent reports, Manchester City are “well-positioned” to make Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma their first major signing of the summer transfer window. This news comes as something of a surprise, given City’s traditional strength in the goalkeeping department.
However, keen observers of the club this season have noticed Guardiola’s apparent dissatisfaction with his current options. Neither Ederson (31) nor Stefan Ortega (32) has fully convinced the Catalan manager this season, with both keepers rotating in a manner that suggests neither has fully claimed the number one jersey. This rotation policy, unusual for a position that typically demands stability, indicates Guardiola may be planning significant changes in this area.
Donnarumma, at just 26 years old and widely regarded as one of the world’s premier goalkeepers (ranked 9th in FourFourTwo’s list of the best goalkeepers globally), represents both a short-term solution and a long-term investment. The Italian captain has yet to agree on a contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain, with his current deal set to expire in 2026.
According to Sportitalia, PSG’s unwillingness to properly value Donnarumma’s contributions has opened the door for potential suitors. City aren’t alone in their interest, with Juventus, Inter Milan, and Bayern Munich all reportedly monitoring the situation.
The financial aspects of any potential deal are intriguing. Sport Witness has reported that Manchester City have the financial framework in place for a deal that might involve a reduced transfer fee (given Donnarumma will be entering the final year of his contract next summer) offset by higher wages. Current estimates from Capology suggest the Italian earns approximately £220,000 weekly at PSG, a figure City could potentially match or exceed.
There’s a timing element at play as well. FourFourTwo understands that PSG are planning to address contract extensions for key players after the conclusion of their season, particularly with a potential Champions League final appearance on the horizon this month. This timeline might complicate City’s plans, potentially closing their window of opportunity if PSG can convince Donnarumma to sign a new deal.
It’s worth noting that this transfer might not align perfectly with City’s traditional goalkeeping profile. Guardiola has traditionally preferred ball-playing goalkeepers in the mold of Ederson, and while Donnarumma’s shot-stopping abilities are world-class, his distribution doesn’t quite match Ederson’s exceptional standards. This mismatch in profiles suggests City might alternatively pursue someone like Joan Garcia of Espanyol, who better fits the ball-playing mold Guardiola prefers.
Transfermarkt currently values Donnarumma at approximately €35 million, a significant but not prohibitive sum for a club of City’s financial might. However, with multiple areas of the squad potentially requiring reinforcement, City must carefully allocate their resources
The potential pursuit of Donnarumma exists within a wider context of squad regeneration. Kevin De Bruyne, the 33-year-old creative heartbeat of City’s team for nearly a decade, has already announced his departure, signaling the beginning of what could be an extensive overhaul.
A glance at City’s squad reveals numerous players approaching or having crossed the 30-year threshold: Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Bernardo Silva (all 30), Mateo Kovacic (31), and the veteran duo of Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker (both 34). This aging core suggests Guardiola might be contemplating a more comprehensive rebuild than simple tweaking.
The January additions of Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov represent the beginning of this regeneration process, but much more significant changes appear to be on the horizon. For a manager like Guardiola, who demands intensity, pressing, and dynamism, maintaining a relatively youthful squad is crucial for implementing his tactical
Manchester City’s defensive record this season tells its own story. Having conceded 37 goals in the Premier League, the Citizens have looked uncharacteristically vulnerable at the back. This leakiness represents a significant departure from the rock-solid defensive foundations upon which their recent successes have been built.
These defensive struggles might explain the potential interest in both goalkeeping upgrades and potential defensive reinforcements. Reports suggest City might be moving to axe both Ederson and Ortega in favor of a big-money goalkeeper signing, which aligns with the Donnarumma rumors while also indicating just how serious Guardiola is about addressing his team’s defensive frailties.
Perhaps the most challenging task facing Guardiola is replacing the irreplaceable: Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian maestro has been central to City’s success, and finding a suitable replacement will be no simple task.
Recent reports link City with a £72 million England playmaker as a potential De Bruyne replacement, though specific names remain speculative. The recruitment team at the Etihad will need to identify someone who can not only provide the creative spark De Bruyne offered but also adapt to Guardiola’s intricate tactical system.
Another key midfielder potentially on the move is Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese international has been a model of consistency and versatility during his time at City, but rumors link him with a departure, potentially to Real Madrid.
Silva’s potential exit would create yet another void in City’s midfield, one that would require careful consideration to fill. The 30-year-old’s unique blend of technical ability, work rate, and tactical intelligence makes him a particularly difficult player to replace.
Behind the scenes, reports suggest Guardiola is actively lobbying for additional transfer funds. Some sources indicate the manager is pleading for an additional £200 million to secure a double signing that he believes is essential for the team’s continued competitiveness.
This request highlights the scale of the rebuild Guardiola envisions. After years of careful squad building and relative stability, City appear to be approaching a watershed moment where significant investment is required to refresh an aging squad
City’s transfer plans don’t exist in isolation. The club reportedly faces competition from Arsenal for at least one La Liga goalkeeper target, highlighting the competitive nature of the premium goalkeeper market. Additionally, there are suggestions that City may hijack an Arsenal deal that had previously appeared completed.
This competitive landscape extends beyond goalkeepers. The extensive rebuild Guardiola is planning will see City active across multiple positions, likely putting them in direct competition with other elite European clubs for top talent
One bright spot amid this period of transition is Phil Foden. The England international continues to develop into a world-class talent, with Guardiola consistently praising his abilities and contributions. As more experienced players depart, Foden’s role in the team will likely expand further, potentially seeing him become the new creative focal point of City’s attack.
Foden’s continued development represents the ideal blueprint for City’s recruitment: identifying exceptional young talent and developing them within Guardiola’s system. As the club looks to refresh its squad, finding players who can follow Foden’s developmental trajectory will be crucial.
Just how extensive will City’s summer overhaul be? According to some reports, as many as eight current squad members could be heading for the exit door. While specific names haven’t been confirmed, this scale of turnover would represent the most significant squad transformation of the Guardiola era.
Such extensive changes always carry risk. Football history is littered with examples of teams that attempted to change too much too quickly, disrupting team chemistry and experiencing performance declines as a result. Guardiola and City’s recruitment team will need to carefully balance the need for renewal with the importance of maintaining squad cohesion
Adding intrigue to City’s summer plans are reports of a “gentleman’s agreement” already in place with an unnamed European star. Such pre-arrangements are increasingly common in modern football, allowing clubs to secure key targets before the transfer window officially opens.
The identity of this mystery player remains unknown, but their arrival appears to be part of Guardiola’s broader rebuild strategy. This approach—identifying and securing targets well in advance—has been a hallmark of City’s successful recruitment strategy under Txiki Begiristain’s directorship
City’s transfer activities exist within a broader market context that includes several notable developments. Liverpool appear close to securing Jeremie Frimpong, with reports suggesting the player has already given his agreement to join in what could be a “quickfire” deal.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are targeting Jamie Gittens, who has reportedly “announced” his departure ahead of a potential summer move. The Gunners are also reportedly beginning talks for a William Saliba replacement following exit rumors concerning the French defender.
In the red half of Manchester, at least one United star is reported to be facing a huge Saudi Arabian offer, potentially creating additional market movement. Wolves, under the guidance of Vitor Pereira (who has impressed since his December 2024 arrival), are reportedly preparing a “record-breaking bid” for a Liverpool outcast. These parallel market movements will inevitably influence City’s transfer activities, both in terms of available targets and market valuations
As the current season reaches its climax, PSG—Donnarumma’s current club—remain active in the Champions League, facing Arsenal in the return leg of their semi-final in Paris. The outcome of PSG’s European campaign could significantly impact Donnarumma’s future decisions and the timing of any potential transfer.
Players often make career decisions based on Champions League participation and success. If PSG were to win the competition or show clear signs of building a project capable of European dominance, Donnarumma might be persuaded to extend his stay in Paris despite reported undervaluation issues.
Beyond personnel changes, Guardiola’s summer rebuild likely includes tactical evolution considerations. Throughout his managerial career, Guardiola has continuously evolved his tactical approach, adapting to changing football trends and the specific strengths of his squad.
The potential arrival of Donnarumma, with his different skill set compared to Ederson, hints at possible tactical adaptations. Perhaps Guardiola is planning adjustments to City’s build-up play, or maybe he’s prioritizing different goalkeeper attributes based on changing defensive needs
Any extensive squad overhaul must navigate the complex landscape of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. City’s financial operations have faced significant scrutiny in recent years, with the club currently involved in an ongoing legal battle regarding alleged financial irregularities.
This regulatory context adds another layer of complexity to City’s transfer plans. The club must balance their ambitious rebuild plans with compliance considerations, potentially influencing which players they target and the financial structures of their deals
Looming over all these considerations is the question of Guardiola’s own future. The Catalan manager hasn’t committed to remaining at City beyond his current contract, and his tenure decisions often influence transfer strategies.
If Guardiola is planning for a longer-term stay, investments in younger players like Donnarumma make perfect sense. If, however, he’s contemplating departure in the near future, the club might adopt a different recruitment strategy that prioritizes immediate impact over long-term development.
As Manchester City approach what appears to be a transformative summer transfer window, the potential acquisition of Gianluigi Donnarumma represents just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Guardiola appears ready to significantly reshape his aging squad, addressing emerging vulnerabilities while preparing for the departure of key figres like De Bruyne.
The scale of this rebuild—potentially affecting the goalkeeper position, defense, midfield, and possibly attack—suggests City are approaching the end of one successful cycle and preparing for the beginning of another. Such transition periods are always challenging, even for clubs with City’s financial resources and managerial expertise.
The coming months will reveal just how extensive this overhaul becomes, with the Donnarumma situation providing an early indicator of City’s ambitions and approach. What seems certain is that the Manchester City squad that begins the 2025/26 season will look significantly different from the one that concludes the current campaign.
For City fans, this period of transition brings both excitement and anxiety. The potential arrival of world-class talents like Donnarumma offers promise, but the departure of beloved figures like De Bruyne inevitably brings a sense of loss. Navigating this emotional and sporting transition successfully will be crucial for maintaining City’s position at football’s elite level.
As the summer unfolds, all eyes will be on the Etihad Stadium to see exactly how Guardiola and the City hierarchy approach this pivotal moment in the club’s modern history. The decisions made in the coming months could shape the club’s fortunes for years to come, with the potential Donnarumma signing potentially representing just the first move in a summer of significant change.
