The 2025/26 season hasn't been a great one by Man City's recent standards, but you cannot accuse them of not trying to rescue their campaign in the January window.
City's squad was in need of an injection of quality, and the Blues made some progress in addressing their issues in January. Have they managed to create a new team capable of competing for the top honours next season, or is there work still to be done in the summer?
Before all that, let us take a look at their transfer business over the past year.
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Manchester City new signings 2025/26
Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves)
Left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri became City's first summer signing when the club announced his acquisition from Wolverhampton Wanderers on 9th, ahead of the Club World Cup (CWC). Ait-Nouri signed a five-year contract with the Cityzens, who sought a decent left-back and got a player with the right profile.
Ait-Nouri signing grade: C
On the face of it, Ait-Nouri should have been a great signing, but things haven't panned out that way, with Nico O'Reilly firmly City's first choice left-back. Several players have ended up turning it around at Man City after a slow start, though, so he shouldn't be written off just yet.
Marcus Bettinelli (Chelsea)
City acquired English goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli for a nominal fee, releasing him from his Chelsea contract. The 33-year-old had been on the books of the London club for four years, lowest on the pecking order, with only one appearance to his name.
The expiry date of his contract at City will be the same as what it would have been at Chelsea – 2026. However, his playing situation will not change as he is set to be third in the goalkeeping department at the Etihad, behind two other new signings.
Bettinelli signing grade: C
Bettinelli is not expected to get many first-team minutes at all. However, he is not a bad option as an experienced third-choice goalkeeper, and does help fill the needed homegrown quota.
Rayan Cherki (Lyon)
Having released midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne at the expiration of his contract this summer, the Cityzens wasted no time in finding a creative replacement for the Belgian, confirming Rayan Cherki’s signing on 10 June in a deal worth £30.5m for the next five years. The 21-year-old, who can operate as a winger or a number 10, was spectacular for Lyon last campaign with 32 goal contributions in 44 games across all competitions.
As Guardiola begins rebuilding his team following last season's failure, Cherki could be the spark that reignites the club's fortunes.
Cherki signing grade: A
Cherki is a quality player who fits into City's style of play perfectly. After a slow start blighted by injuries, he has since started to show what he is all about and is now one of the first names on the City teamsheet.
Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan)
Just a day after Cherki's transfer, City announced another midfielder signing, Tijjani Reijnders, in a £46.5m move from AC Milan to the Etihad until 2030. The void left by De Bruyne is a huge one, and Guardiola is determined to shore up his midfield.
The deal was made public on 11th June, but was agreed in time before the CWC deadline. Despite what some might say was an underperforming season for AC Milan last term, Reijnders finished it with 15 goal involvements, and he started his Man City career in great fashion, scoring one and creating another on his PL debut against Wolves.
Reijnders signing grade: B
Reijnders is another quality addition in the middle of the park, but he has struggled for consistency so far. Once he finds it, he will be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Sverre Nypan (Rosenborg)
City also confirmed the signing of Sverre Nypan for a reported transfer fee of around £12.5m. He was signed from Norwegian side Rosenborg on a five-year deal that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2030.
At just 18 years of age, Nypan has already demonstrated plenty of potential, having made his first team debut at Rosenborg by the age of just 15. In 70 senior appearances for the club, the central midfield player managed an impressive total of 14 goals alongside a further 11 assists.
Nypan signing grade: B
While Nypan is unlikely to make an immediate impact in the first team, he will certainly have the ambition of breaking into it in the future. His added versatility means that he can play anywhere in the middle of the park, whether that is in attacking role or from a deeper position on the pitch.
Nypan was since sent out on loan to Middlesbrough in the Championship for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign. There, he should learn some useful insight into what the English game is like to play in.
James Trafford (Burnley)
City re-signed James Trafford for a reported transfer fee of £31m plus add-ons. The goalkeeper signed a deal at the Etihad Stadium until 2030, but there are doubts around whether he will be the club's number one goalkeeper moving forward.
Trafford signing grade: C
Up until the club decided to bring in Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG, the signing of Trafford looked like quite a smart one, especially after Ederson left the club. However, now that the Italian number one has arrived, Trafford faces a season on the bench.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
Donnarumma signed for City on deadline day in a move that many people labelled as confusing for a number of reasons. The Italian number one was key to PSG's UEFA Champions League (UCL) triumph last season and he could become a key player for the Cityzens this season and beyond.
Donnarumma signing grade: B
This signing certainly was a confusing one at the time. Firstly, it almost makes the signing of Trafford a pointless one and a waste of £30m.
Secondly, Donnarumma is not the best with his feet so how that is going to translate in a Pep Guardiola team will be interesting to see. Beyond all that, though, Donnarumma is one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, and he should help City keep more clean sheets.
The Italy international has certainly shown his worth in his first few appearances in a City jersey so far.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
Donnarumma signed for City on deadline day in a move that many people labelled as confusing for a number of reasons. The Italian number one was key to PSG's UEFA Champions League (UCL) triumph last season and he could become a key player for the Cityzens this season and beyond.
Donnarumma signing grade: B
This signing certainly was a confusing one at the time. Firstly, it almost makes the signing of Trafford a pointless one and a waste of £30m.
Secondly, Donnarumma is not the best with his feet so how that is going to translate in a Pep Guardiola team will be interesting to see. Beyond all that, though, Donnarumma is one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, and he should help City keep more clean sheets.
The Italy international has certainly shown his worth in his first few appearances in a City jersey so far.
Antoine Semenyo (Man City)
Man City won the race to sign Antoine Semenyo in January, and the former Bournemouth winger has settled in very quickly. While Semenyo's goals record has been impressive for the Blues, it has seemingly come at the expense of Erling Haaland, whose own form has nosedived since January.
Semenyo signing grade: B+
It's difficult to argue with Semenyo's record as a City player so far, but there are question marks around whether he is a good fit for a team built around Erling Haaland.
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
Man City needed a top centre-back, and they got exactly that with the signing of Marc Guehi. The former Crystal Palace man has fitted like a glove and could be a permanent fixture in their back four for many years to come.
Guehi signing grade: A
Signing Guehi for just £25m was a steal, and he is exactly what Man City needed. This signing was never going to be a failure.
Manchester City confirmed arrivals 2025/26 – Full list
- Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves) – £31m
- Marcus Bettinelli (Chelsea) – Nominal fee
- Rayan Cherki (Lyon) – £30.5m
- Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan) – £46.5m
- Sverre Nypan (Rosenborg) – £12.5m
- James Trafford (Burnley) – £31m
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) – £26m
- Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) – £25
- Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – £64m
Manchester City confirmed departures 2025/26
- Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) – Free
- Jacob Wright (Norwich) – £2.3m
- Scott Carson (Released)
- Kayky (Bahia) – Undisclosed
- Kyle Walker (Burnley) – £5m
- Divin Mubama (Stoke) – Loan
- Maximo Perrone (Como) – £13m
- Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (Celtic) – Loan
- Vitor Reis (Girona) – Loan
- James McAtee (Nottingham Forest) – £30m
- Sverre Nypan (Middlesbrough) – Loan
- Jack Grealish (Everton) – Loan
- Claudio Echeverri (Bayer Leverkusen) – Loan
- Ederson (Fenerbahce) – £8m
- Yan Couto (Borussia Dortmund) – £16m
- Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan) – Loan
- Ilkay Gundogan (Galatasaray) – Free
- Oscar Bobb (Fulham) – £25m
- Kalvin Phillips (Sheffield United) – Loan
Manchester City transfer window rating: Grade B
Only time will tell whether City have done enough business over the past year to win them yet another Premier League title next season, but the acquisition of younger, talented players should stand them in good stead for the longer-term future. However, to say they have adequately replaced Kevin de Bruyne, the headline departure of 2025, would be a lie.
