Several look set to depart Manchester City this summer, including some longstanding names too. The next generation of City stars will be ushered in.
The time for change at Manchester City is upon us. After four-straight Premier League titles, and years of overall dominance, Pep Guardiola’s side have lost their spark, as age catches up with many of their star players.
Playing 50 games every season has certainly takes its toll on names like Kevin De Bruyne, whose downfall this season epitomises the somewhat mini downfall of the entire club in 2024/25.
Though it’s not panic stations just yet. Man City are planning a squad overhaul in the summer and Guardiola is tipped to become quite brutal in who he lets go, and who he keeps.
Among those tipped to leave the Etihad is John Stones who’s up for sale after suffering another injury blow. De Bruyne being another, whilst midfield partner Ilkay Gundogan is re-considering his future following his return to City last summer.
Kalvin Phillips latest after Man City star backed to join Leeds United
Another Man City midfielder who’ll surely be on the move this summer is Kalvin Phillips. The forgotten 29-year-old is currently on loan at Ipswich Town where he’s failed to impress once again, and now it looks like the 31-cap England man will leave Man City permanently in the summer.
On Tuesday, reports claimed that Leeds United had a verbal agreement with City to re-sign Phillips in the upcoming summer transfer window. But that’s since been played down with Ben Jacobs revealing the truth to GIVEMESPORT.
The trusted journalist writes: “Leeds are not currently looking at a Kalvin Phillips return. The priority is to get promotion, and then assess what targets are possible.”
Jacobs then reveals that Phillips’ £150,000-a-week wages at City is the reason why a return to Leeds United is not currently possible. He adds: “Links with a sentimental Phillips return are downplayed by sources. Phillips is not looking for another loan, and Manchester City also want to find a permanent solution.
“Phillips’ age – he turns 30 this year – and more importantly wage, in excess of £150k, make it a deal Leeds can’t pull off even with promotion. There are other priorities.”
Kalvin Phillips has made his stance on Man City return perfectly clear
Phillips cost City £45million in 2022. But he’s played just 16 times in the Premier League for Guardiola’s side, with his stint at the club having been tough from the start.
Guardiola’s ‘overweight’ claims about Phillips after the 2022 World Cup somewhat condemned the midfielder to struggle. Then after joining Ipswich Town on loan, Phillips hinted he was unhappy at City, saying he needed the fire back in his belly.
He said: “Even before I played my first game for Ipswich I felt like the fire was already back. I just felt it from training and the messages I got when I signed. Now I’m playing more regularly, I feel I’m getting fitter, playing better and getting more confidence.”
Even though a Leeds return is off the table, for now at least, it looks like City and Phillips will do their best to part ways in the summer, and it would be certainly be best for all involved.