Manchester City have been actively reshaping their squad in anticipation of the post-Pep Guardiola era, securing key contracts and pursuing new signings to establish a core group of players who can sustain the club’s recent success. Over the past two weeks, Jeremy Doku became the latest to commit to a five-year deal, joining Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden, and Abdukodir Khusanov in signing new long-term contracts. These four, all under 27 years old, are viewed by director of football Hugo Viana and new head coach Enzo Maresca as foundational figures capable of upholding the high standards set by departing stalwarts such as Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.

Despite these contract renewals, Manchester City face potential significant departures. Rodri, the 30-year-old Spain midfielder and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner who was instrumental in Spain’s World Cup victory, has attracted formal interest from Barcelona, which has intensified the competition for his signature, with Real Madrid also reportedly pursuing the player. Rodri’s desire to return to Spain for family reasons is clear, and while City offered him a contract extension earlier this year, the club is prepared to negotiate his exit to secure a substantial transfer fee.

Alongside Rodri, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, 28, is also expected to leave before the summer transfer window closes, with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United monitoring his situation. City sources indicate the club is ready to replace any outgoings and replenish the squad’s experience and leadership.

In line with this rebuilding strategy, Manchester City accelerated their transfer activity in January, investing approximately £85 million to bring in Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth and Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. Both players have integrated into the squad, with Semenyo notably scoring the FA Cup-winning goal against Chelsea, while Guehi’s absence in the Carabao Cup final sparked frustration from Guardiola. After Maresca’s appointment as head coach, the club also broke their transfer record with a £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson, underscoring their ambition to fortify the squad.

Additionally, City are negotiating for 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, a Moroccan World Cup breakout talent, a pursuit City is progressing independently of other transfer movements.

Players within the squad are vying to establish themselves as new leaders. Gvardiol and Foden have both expressed willingness to assume captaincy responsibilities. Nico Gonzalez, who competed for the club but struggled for Premier League starts last season, recently reaffirmed his commitment to the club’s project, emphasizing his desire to win trophies, regardless of the amount of playing time.

While the group has experienced notable turnover since the 2023 treble-winning season—only five players from that squad remain—City’s leadership believes the groundwork laid over the last two years provides a solid platform for sustained success. With Maresca’s fresh approach and a renewed competitive environment within the team, the club enters this new chapter focused both on continuity and evolution as they navigate significant changes on and off the pitch.