With the summer transfer window opening on June 1, Manchester City are preparing for a busy period, eyeing new additions to strengthen their squad after a trophy-less season and a third-place finish in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola is expected to overhaul parts of his team, with a midfielder and a full-back high on the priority list. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has made it clear he hopes to complete most of the club’s business before the FIFA Club World Cup begins in the coming weeks.
While incoming transfers will grab headlines, City are also expected to part ways with several players. Kevin De Bruyne has already left, and James McAtee looks set to follow. Jack Grealish is also likely to move on.
The club’s academy will see exits as well. Jacob Wright has already departed, and young striker Divin Mubama is drawing attention from clubs including Ipswich Town and Lille. City reportedly value the 20-year-old forward at around £10 million.
Ipswich are looking for a successor to Liam Delap, another former City academy player, who is expected to join Chelsea. City stand to earn £2 million from that transfer due to a sell-on clause.
Mubama joined City last year from West Ham for a compensation fee of £2 million. Since then, he’s made just two senior appearances, including a goal in the FA Cup against Salford City and a cameo off the bench against Ipswich.
Despite limited game time, Guardiola has praised the young striker, highlighting his movement and pressing ability, which may lead to a tough decision on whether to sell or retain him as a backup to Erling Haaland.
“Divin’s movement is outstanding,” Guardiola said after the Salford game. “He times his runs perfectly and presses intelligently. The way he moved for the opening goal was top quality—great counter-movement to shake the defender.”