Manchester City: Latest Transfer Rumours
Football Whispers has scoured the internet to bring you each and every transfer rumour about Manchester City, regarding both incomings and outgoings. FW has added a rumour rating for every potential deal, with 1/5 representing a transfer that is not likely to occur, and 5/5 representing a deal that is 99% complete. On the topic of probabilities, you might want to take a look at our football betting tips and Premier League predictions for today.
Cancelo nearing Bayern Munich loan
BBC Sport claims Manchester City star Joao Cancelo is closing in on a loan move to German giants Bayern Munich.
The full-back is reportedly in talks with the Bundesliga side, with the deal involving a loan with a €70m (£61.5m) option to buy this summer.
The Portugal international has largely been considered one of the world’s best full-backs in recent times, but he has witnessed youngster Rico Lewis overtake him in Pep Guardiola’s pecking order, with Cancelo perhaps unthinkably warming the Manchester City bench most weeks.
He was a regular at the beginning of the campaign, but teenager Lewis has progressed rapidly and has been handed plenty of minutes since the return of the 2022 World Cup. Cancelo has now been linked with a move away from the Etihad given his lack of game time, with Serie A giants AC Milan also linked with the versatile defender.
FW rumour rating: 5/5
Cancelo offered to Barcelona
Amid the strong links to Bayern, Fichajes claims that Cancelo’s agent Jorge Mendes has offered the defender to Barcelona.
Barcelona boss Xavi is reportedly eyeing Cancelo as his first-choice right-back, with the likes of Hector Bellerin seemingly underwhelming the manager at Camp Nou. Central defender Jules Kounde has been operating in the role in recent times.
FW rumour rating: 3/5
Manchester City battling Barcelona for Martinez
In a potential twist to any Barcelona deal for Cancelo, Mundo Deportivo claims that both Barcelona and Manchester City are chasing Girona’s Arnau Martinez.
The 19-year-old currently represents Spain’s under-21 side, and has shown his huge talent for club and country in recent times. Barcelona are keen to strengthen at right-back, and could turn to Martinez if they get nowhere with Cancelo.
Manchester City may just have a huge advantage in the race for the teenager’s signature given the fact their owners also own Girona. Martinez has a contract with the Spanish club until 2025, with a release clause of €25m (£22m). He has made 18 appearances in all competitions for his club this season.
Martinez, who progressed at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in his youth, has recently said he would welcome a return to his boyhood club, but only if it involves regular first-team football.
With Kyle Walker, Cancelo and youngster Rico Lewis, Guardiola is spoilt for choice at right-back, but could turn to Martinez if Cancelo does indeed exit this month or later this year. His future is up in the air amid the lack of game time, despite continuous impressive displays at both ends of the pitch.
FW rumour rating: 4/5
Zubimendi prefers move to Arsenal
And in yet another ongoing battle between European superpowers Barcelona and Manchester City, it seems both are set to lose out on Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi.
The 23-year-old was linked with a move to Manchester City as recently as October 2022, but now it seems their Premier League rivals Arsenal is his most likely destination, with Sport reporting that if he does leave Sociedad, the Gunners would be his favoured destination.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is undoubtedly keen to strengthen in midfield, with only Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey showing signs of playing regularly in defensive midfield. Mohamed Elneny has missed a large chunk of the campaign through injury, with Albert Sambi Lokonga barely featuring this season.
The Gunners have been linked with both Juventus’ Weston McKennie and West Ham’s Declan Rice, but the former is close to joining Leeds, and the latter is attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.
Zubimendi is being eyed as the heir to Sergio Busquets at Barcelona, with the midfielder playing 24 times in a superb season for himself and Real Sociedad so far. They currently sit third in La Liga behind Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as topping their recent Europa League group, finishing ahead of Manchester United.
FW rumour rating: 3/5
City chasing £7m FC Midtjylland youngster
FC Midtjylland Sporting Director Svend Graversen has revealed there is “huge interest” in the club’s star defender Ousmane Diomande, with Manchester City among the many clubs chasing his signature.
As per the Evening Standard, the 19-year-old is being targeted by both Manchester City and Arsenal, with the two clubs currently going head on a battle for the Premier League title, having recently gone head to head in the FA Cup fourth round.
The interest in the Ivorian defender comes somewhat surprisingly given his current situation, with the teenager yet to make an appearance for FC Midtjylland, as he is currently on loan at Portuguese second-division side CD Mafra.
He has made 17 appearances in all competitions for his temporary club, including a handful of cup matches against Portuguese giants Porto. Their rivals Sporting CP are also reportedly interested in the talented defender. It is believed that Diomande will cost just £7m.
“It is no secret that there is huge interest in him,” said Graversen. “Then we have to see if there is something that can match what we want.
“We could see that he was really talented. What is perhaps surprising is the price of these players – especially the young ones. It only goes one way. It's just a market that keeps on developing all the time, and it is only getting faster.”
FW rumour rating: 3/5
Mbappe requests Silva at PSG
Marca claims that Kylian Mbappe has requested PSG to bring Manchester City Bernardo Silva to Paris. Mbappe’s role at PSG is seemingly well-known, with the youngster recently handed a mega millions contract in which he reportedly has a huge say in who the club sign in the transfer window. He has now asked his club to add more creativity to the squad through the signature of the Portugal international.
Silva has strongly been linked with an exit from the Etihad in recent times, with both PSG and Barcelona heavily interested. The midfielder has also been rumoured with a switch to his homeland.
The 28-year-old has a contract with Manchester City until 2025, but there are seemingly only a handful of players in the squad who are wanted week in, week out by Guardiola, with Silva constantly battling it out in training for a spot in the starting XI with the likes of Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kalvin Phillips.
FW rumour rating: 1/5
Last week's Manchester City transfer rumours
Gundogan heading for Barcelona?
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is closing in on a move to Barcelona, with the German set to leave England on a free transfer now that his contract has moved into its last six months.
Previous reports have strongly linked fellow Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva with a move to Camp Nou, but the Manchester Evening News claims it is indeed Gundogan who the Spanish giants are now targeting.
Barcelona reportedly see the German as the ideal replacement for Sergio Busquets, who also looks set for a summer exit. The club do, of course, have plenty of young, talented midfielders already shining on the big stage in Gavi and Pedri, with Frenkie de Jong another option in the middle of the pitch.
But the future of the Netherlands international is also uncertain, with Barcelona now eyeing Manchester City’s midfield maestro to come in and continue on from his fine displays in England. The 32-year-old has proven time and again this season that there is still plenty left in the tank, with Gundogan making 27 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side.
But the Manchester outfit, like their rivals Liverpool, are reportedly keen to undergo a midfield overhaul in the near future, with Gundogan set to make way for younger, more energetic talent. Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri are certain to remain at the club for the years to come, but Silva could also depart, with Kalvin Phillips perhaps the beginning of Manchester City building for the future.
Gundogan joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, with the German becoming a club legend, winning four Premier League titles and the FA Cup. During his seven-year spell in England so far, he has picked up almost 300 appearances for the Manchester club.
FW rumour rating: 3/5
Manchester City in three-way battle for Argentine prodigy
Fichajes claims that Manchester City are ready to make a move for Boca Juniors star Exequiel Zeballos, but face a battle for his signature with Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Young winger Zeballos has been with the South American outfit since 2014, becoming the youngest player in their history to sign a professional contract when he put pen to paper in 2018. The Argentina attacker can play on the left or right wing, as well as a second striker, with his versatility undoubtedly helping him attract the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
A talented dribbler, Zeballos also has an eye for a goal, with many City fans already licking their lips at the 20-year-old’s potential under Pep Guardiola. The Manchester side often delve into the South American market, recently bringing Julian Alvarez to the Etihad. They are also reportedly closing in on the signature of fellow Argentine Maximo Perrone.
But Madrid are also prone to sign young South American talent, with their recruits from the region over the years including Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and now Endrick, with the 16-year-old Palmeiras forward set to move to Santiago Bernabeu in 2024 upon turning 18.
And Serie A giants AC Milan are also showing interest as they look to lift the Serie A title once again. Their current left winger Rafael Leao has been linked with a big-money exit from San Siro.
FW rumour rating: 4/5
Manchester City eyeing young winger
The Manchester Evening News reports that Manchester City are also eyeing young winger Renato Huerta, who is also currently shining in South America, this time for Club Universidad de Chile.
The 18-year-old, who is most comfortable on the right, will reportedly cost the Manchester outfit €2m. Money may not be the only barrier that Pep Guardiola must get past, however, with former Liverpool defender Mauricio Pellegrino currently in charge of the Chilean club. But what could be the biggest issue is the fact that the teenager only joined the club this month, meaning an immediate move is almost certainly off the cards.
Guardiola is, of course, spoiled for choice with talent all over the pitch, with the likes of Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez representing the group of players capable of playing out wide going forward. But again, the future will be of the utmost importance to the Premier League side, with Huerta an option for the years to come.
FW rumour rating: 1/5
Club Brugge star tipped to play for Manchester City
Club Brugge midfielder Ruud Vormer has tipped his young teammate Antonio Nusa to one day play for one of the world’s best teams, like Manchester City and Real Madrid.
As reported by HITC, Vormer, who is currently on loan at fellow Belgian club Zulte Waregem, believes Nusa could soon compatriot Erling Haaland at the Premier League champions.
The 17-year-old hails from Langhus in Norway, making the move from Stabæk to Brugge in the summer of 2021. Dubbed the Norwegian Neymar, the youngster has caught the eye of many top clubs with his pace, trickery and indeed confidence. He became the youngest-ever player to score on his Champions League debut with his strike against Porto in their September group stage clash.
“Just write this down; Antonio Nusa,” said Club Brugge legend Vormer. “He will later play at the biggest clubs in the world. Real Madrid, Manchester City. Remember my words.”
Club Brugge are certainly making a name for themselves in European football, with the Belgian outfit coming second in the aforementioned Champions League group, finishing ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid. They will now meet Benfica in the round of 16 next month, full of confidence after beating all three of their Champions League opponents.
With the recent success has come a handful of high-profile exits, led by young Belgian star Charles De Ketelaere, who recently moved from Brugge to Italian giants AC Milan.
Nusa could now become the latest youngster to make such a switch. Also tipping the teenager for a big role in football in the years to come is Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, with the former Liverpool shot-stopper saying: “He has a bright future ahead of him. In training you can see that he has an incredible amount of talent.
“We must not forget that he is only 17 years old. But he has a good head on his shoulders. He remained calm under the circumstances here, so that is already positive.”
FW rumour rating: 5/5
Manchester City Transfers
David Silva from Valencia for £25m in 2010
Without much doubt, David Silva was the most important signing of the new Manchester City era. The Spanish midfielder came to the club for a modest fee compared to other City transfers at the time and he spent 10 seasons at the club, winning 4 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups and 5 League Cups with the team.
Kevin De Bruyne from Vfl Wolfsburg for £55m in 2015
At the time of the transfer, Manchester City’s acquisition of Kevin De Bruyne for £55 million was the second most expensive transfer in English football. However, unlike many other expensive fees that City paid, De Bruyne proved to be a brilliant signing. The Belgian winger is still with the club and very much a crucial piece in the team.
Sergio Agüero from Atlético Madrid for £36m in 2011
The Argentinian striker was already a household name after his successful stint in Madrid and signing him was a clear signal of City’s ambitions. Sergio “Kun” Agüero is still with the club and during his 9 years in Manchester he scored 180 league goals.
Yaya Toure from Barcelona for £24m in 2010
Greeted by his older brother Kolo who arrived at the club a year prior from Arsenal, Yaya Touré quickly established his place in the team. In his eight years at the club, the midfielder from Ivory Coast scored many important goals and instilled a winning culture at Manchester City.
Vincent Kompany from Hamburger SV for £8 in 2008
One of the first Manchester City signings after the 2008 takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group, Vincent Kompany was bought for a rather modest fee of around £8 million. The Belgian defender became an indispensable part of the club’s defence and he ended up wearing the captain’s armband during his 11 successful years with the Citizens.
