News Transfer

Five players who could leave Man City this summer

Tom Weber

  • Updated: 21 Apr 2026 21:10 BST
  • 5 min read

John Stones, Man City, 2025/26
© IMAGO

Manchester City have overhauled their team in recent transfer windows, but the transition period is not yet over.

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After dominating the Premier League for years, Man City are still an exceptionally good team, but they are no longer the unstoppable force they were during their heyday under Pep Guardiola.

The Spaniard has had to ring in the changes over the past two seasons as ageing superstars have departed and fresh blood has joined. However, even his own future is in doubt after a decade at the helm.

Regardless of whether Guardiola stays for another season or decides to call it quits, Man City will continue to make their team younger this summer, as evidenced by the confirmation that Bernardo Silva will leave the club.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through five more Man City players who could leave this summer…

James Trafford

James Trafford
© IMAGO – James Trafford

James Trafford must have been the angriest man in Manchester when his club announced the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma mere weeks after he had returned from Burnley.

Having boasted an incredible clean sheet record in the Championship, City decided to re-sign Trafford, only to immediately replace him when Donnarumma became available after a contract dispute with PSG.

Naturally, Trafford’s game time has been limited behind arguably the best shot-stopper in the world. He is likely to depart the club again in the summer, with various Premier League sides showing an interest.

John Stones

John Stones has been an amazing servant to Man City, but his decade at the club is expected to come to an end this summer. His contract is expiring, and reports increasingly suggest that he will not be handed an extension.

Although he is still only 31, which is not old for a centre-back, and an excellent player when fit, his injury issues mean that he often spends more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.

Stones has been restricted to just a handful of Premier League appearances this season, so it is not surprising that he will likely be released once the campaign concludes.

Nathan Ake

Nathan Ake
© IMAGO – Nathan Ake

Unlike Stones, Nathan Ake has been mostly fit this season, but that has not prevented him from being supplanted. The Netherlands international has struggled to get on the pitch and has been linked with an exit for a while.

The 31-year-old still has a lot to offer and will have no issue finding a new club. If he wishes to keep playing at the highest level, he must leave for the good of his career. Given that his contract expires in 2027, this summer will be City’s final chance to cash in on him.

Mateo Kovacic

Another veteran, Mateo Kovacic has barely played in 2025/26 due to injury. The Croatia international has dealt with two lengthy issues, which have restricted him to just a few minutes of football this term.

Despite having been an integral part of the team in his first two campaigns at the club, City have fared pretty well without Kovacic. He has become expendable.

With a year left to run on his deal, he could fetch City a small fee. Alternatively, Nico Gonzalez could leave the club after rotating in and out of the side. He only joined in January 2025, but there were already murmurs last summer that he was unhappy with his role and open to an exit.

Omar Marmoush

Omar Marmoush was one of European football’s most scintillating attackers when he traded Eintracht Frankfurt for Man City in January 2025. However, he has naturally struggled for regular starting opportunities as a centre-forward due to the presence of Erling Haaland.

Although he can play on the flanks, the Egyptian is not a traditional winger, which has only made his predicament trickier in a season where old-school wide players have come back in vogue. Despite being linked with a January exit, Marmoush he vowed to fight for his place.

He initially looked to be winning his battle for minutes, but he has once again found himself on the bench in recent times. A player of his quality would be a guaranteed starter for most Premier League clubs, so a summer departure appears likely.

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