Guardiola begins clear-out at Manchester City: 5 players depart
Manchester City's coach hopes to completely overhaul the squad ahead of the new campaign. Five players won't continue next season.Manchester United v. Manchester City live online
Manchester City fell short of the objectives set at the start of the season. The team bowed out of the Champions League to Monaco at the Last 16 stage and finished third in the Premier League - despite being the club to have spent the most money to bring new players in last summer.
Man City must sell before they can make any new signings
That has prompted Pep Guardiola to begin rebuilding his side but before he can buy new players, first, City have to sell those who are surplus to requirements or at least get them off the wage bill. We are still in May and Guardiola has already commenced his clear-out with confirmation that five players won't continue.
It looks like Pablo Zabaleta will shortly join West Ham United, following nine years at the Etihad. Gaël Clichy and Willy Caballero have not renewed their contracts and will be moving on. As will Jesús Navas, who has been granted permission to negotiate with other clubs a month earlier than usual; Navas looks set to return to Sevilla. The most recent to be told his contract will be allowed to run down rather than be renewed is right-back Bacary Sagna.
Another player who will soon be out of contract is Yaya Touré, who was out of favour with Guardiola at the start of the campaign but will be offered a one-year extension on the condition he takes a pay cut. However it is not clear whether the midfielder will accept a reduction to his salary.
City's loanees set to return
The players who have been out on loan are due to return. Samir Nasri enjoyed a good season on loan at Sevilla but there is no niche for him at City. The same can be said of Eliaquim Mangala, who had an average spell at Valencia. Gabriel Jesús' explosive start with City has definitively scuppered any hopes Wilfried Bony had of carving out a regular place in the side; he made just 11 appearances during his loan stint with Stoke City. Guardiola isn't ruling out signing another striker this summer.
The most delicate issue is that concerning Joe Hart. Claudio Bravo hasn't convinced City fans and with Willy Caballero on his way out of the club, that leaves Guardiola with just one goalkeeper. Fans want Joe Hart back. The England international was loaned out to Torino after being dropped by the coach who prefers keepers who are able to use both feet. He could return to the Etihad permanently but his future remains unclear.
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|
| Upcoming matches |
|---|