We put out the call for your questions on all things Manchester City and you responded in your droves.
Our City expert JACK GAUGHAN has been sifting through the best of them and this is what he can reveal on a range of topics from summer signings and new midfielders to the Abdukodir Khusanov mystery and the plan for the club’s best wonderkids.
So, was your question answered? Read on to find out…
What’s the latest on Florian Wirtz? (various)
Straight in, no messing about – it’s seemingly what all of you would like to know.
And that’s understandable: Florian Wirtz is the No 1 target in that creative area of the pitch, soon to be vacated by Kevin De Bruyne. Wirtz is somebody City have admired for a long, long time and who we reported their firm interest in, as part of the summer rebuild, three months ago.
The latest information coming through this week is that no decision by the Germany international has been relayed to City. At the time of writing, they’ve not been given an indication that he is definitely off to Bayern Munich.
Florian Wirtz is the No 1 target for Manchester City in the creative area of the pitch, a position soon to be vacated by Kevin De Bruyne who will leave the Etihad at the end of the campaign
Wirtz is very close with Bayern’s Jamal Musiala . And there is a school of thought that choosing Bayern further enhances the prospect of Wirtz starting for Germany at the World Cup
But the situation is complex. City are basically waiting – and have been for a number of weeks – on a resolution to a Wirtz family discussion over his future. The father has close ties with Bayern and is heavily favouring that switch, while the mother is leaning towards another season at Bayer Leverkusen.
Wirtz, for his part, is more open minded and his stance on City is believed to have softened in recent months. There are going to be some key days ahead, with the Bundesliga season finishing on May 17 and the prolonged family angst over this move feels similar to when Leroy Sane went to the Allianz Arena – his mum pushing for it, his partner preferring Manchester.
One note of caution for City supporters: Wirtz is very close with Bayern’s Jamal Musiala. And there is a school of thought that choosing Bayern further enhances the prospect of the 22-year-old starting for Germany at the World Cup, although from a distance, that seems to be highly likely anyway.
Will the club look to sign a different No 10 if Wirtz isn’t available? Like a Rayan Cherki or Xavi Simons? (@Dejwirtz, X)
At this point, Wirtz is the only player in that position who we’re aware that there is absolute concrete interest in. City could pivot if the deal doesn’t go their way, yet obviously do have existing options within the squad.
Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush are the two most obvious examples of who can fill that spot, while there is Oscar Bobb as well. Quite a lot of the summer business does feel up in the air right now and somewhat dependent on outgoings.
Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush are the two most obvious examples of who can fill the No 10 spot if Wirtz doesn’t sign
A parting of the ways might be best for both Jack Grealish and City at this stage
Recent quotes from both Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva suggest that the pair expect to still be playing for Pep Guardiola next season
If Jack Grealish – who Tottenham and Newcastle have looked at and the Saudi Pro League clubs are obviously keen on – remains at the club then that area might even look a little crowded were he to be utilised more centrally.
But those are big ifs given Grealish has started one Premier League game (against doomed Leicester City) since December 21. A parting of the ways might be best for both sides at this stage, although City will want (and need) value from a permanent transfer after shelling out £100million in 2021. And no, I’m not going down an amortisation/book-keeping rabbit hole.
Midfield-wise, recent quotes from both Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva suggest that the pair expect to still be playing for Pep Guardiola next season.
What are the positions City are looking to strengthen? And does that include both right and left back? (@toptheerut, X)
We reported last month that City are frontrunners to land Morgan Gibbs-White if the central midfielder leaves Nottingham Forest in the summer – and as with Wirtz, these bits of business will become clearer once the league season finishes.
Forest are still in with a chance of reaching the Champions League and you wouldn’t expect City to be holding talks with them while that is ongoing. Gibbs-White’s skillset lend itself to excelling as a No 8.
Midfield is clearly a key position – you don’t need me to tell you that – while a full back is integral. Nico O’Reilly has been superb at left back and offers a different option moving forward. Josko Gvardiol is preferring playing in the middle at the minute.
Andrea Cambiaso at Juventus is one City have been looking in to. It didn’t sound like Cambiaso, 25, was ever going to be a priority target in January (some fans might argue he should have been) but I’ve not heard anything to dissuade from the idea they will look at that one.
The Italy international can operate on either the left or right – and has even played on the right wing in Serie A this term. Interestingly, the tentative noises are that City may only go for one full back and that the right-hand side is viewed as more urgent. Irrespective, Cambiaso would cover both bases and Guardiola famously likes flexible players.
Andrea Cambiaso at Juventus is a full back Manchester City have been looking into
Porto’s Diogo Costa is among the goalkeepers being evaluated ahead of the summer window
The goalkeeping situation hinges on Ederson, whose decision on what comes next impacts Stefan Ortega and whether City go into the market.
Guardiola fought hard to keep Ederson amid Saudi interest last year but Porto’s Diogo Costa (a Jorge Mendes client, the same agent as Ederson, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Nico Gonzalez) is among those who is being evaluated.
What has happened to Abdukodir Khusanov? He was player of the month in February but not been seen since… (Adam S, email)
It seems to me that Khusanov has been a victim of circumstance a little bit. Firstly, he played significantly more games than envisaged when signing for £33m from Lens in January.
Sources have said that the 20-year-old hadn’t trained for a whole month before joining City – comprising a winter break and then not being with Will Still’s group as a transfer edged closer. He’d had one proper session before that debut against Chelsea but recovered exceptionally well after a tricky start.
O’Reilly’s emergence at left back, and Gvardiol forming this strong partnership with Dias, has seen the Uzbek watch on since the Bournemouth game in the FA Cup at the end of March. He’s not played a single minute since, yet that could help his development in the long run.
Khusanov is working hard to master English, with three hour-long lessons a week with a club tutor and then another at home, done online with a teacher from Tashkent.
January signing Abdukodir Khusanov has been a victim of circumstance a little bit so far
Is there any chance of De Bruyne signing a new contract? (@tibeau_1, X)
The short answer is no. A glittering 10 years is coming to an end for someone who, for me, is the greatest central midfielder of the Premier League era.
De Bruyne still thinks he can impact at the highest level and there is little doubt that is true but as City weigh up their restructuring of the squad, can they afford the current De Bruyne at £385,000 a week?
Those will be the conversations Txiki Begiristain and Hugo Viana had with Ferran Soriano and Guardiola. Senior City staff actually thought that De Bruyne was off in the months before last summer when Saudi came in big for him.
Chicago Fire are interested in the Belgian, who Inter Miami had first refusal on. Napoli have emerged as firm suitors, while there are some big clubs in Europe – at least one more from Italy – wondering about making a move. A switch to another Premier League club is deemed unlikely.
The 33-year-old is due a huge emotional send-off when City face Bournemouth, his final match at the Etihad Stadium, on May 20.
Who is best placed to eventually take over from Pep when the dreaded moment comes? (@goldenage1625, X)
Huge question just dropped in from nowhere.
It’s for another day but I’ve never really shaken the idea that current Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has City in his future – somebody they have studied in the past and has since gone onto win the Bundesliga with Bayern and reignite the country’s national side.
Luis Enrique would be box office and keep the Guardiola lineage. But we don’t know how long Guardiola’s going on for.
I’ve never really shaken the idea that Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has City in his future
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique would be box office and keep the Guardiola lineage
It was nailed on that this would be his final season only for him to change his mind – and his comments after signing the contract confirmed it was a proper U-turn – so making predictions with two years left on his deal might not be the wisest idea.
Who in your opinion do you expect the eight homegrown players to be next season? (Kenny Warren, X)
Well, they don’t desperately need eight – and managed with seven this season. It’s a bit boring in that the Champions League rules make it more imperative to have as many homegrowners (not a word) as possible, whereas the Premier League imposes a maximum of 17 foreigners.
This year there were Kyle Walker, Grealish, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Foden, James McAtee and Scott Carson. It’s complicated by Walker leaving and the idea that the futures of Grealish, Stones, McAtee and Ake are all up in the air to varying degrees.
As an aside, no decision has been made on 39-year-old Carson’s future. And given what we said about the left back area earlier, Ake seems somewhat safer than the others.
Then all of that is also mitigated by Rico Lewis and O’Reilly, who are currently young enough not to be registered at all and could be included in lists if required. Bobb becomes homegrown next season too.
Nico O’Reilly, Rico Lewis, James McAtee and Oscar Bobb could all count towards City’s eight homegrown players next season
Those three could cover some homegrown departures if necessary, while obviously there is also the Gibbs-White factor as well. They are treading a line and certainly a couple of English signings wouldn’t hurt.
*By the way, Kenny – don’t worry, I also saw your question about the ongoing roadworks around the Cheadle area. Sources claimed that a gas leak at a bar was to blame and it’s prompted two lots of temporary lights. Locals should stage some form of walkout.
**Also, Kenny: did you know that one of Cole Palmer’s favourite takeaways is further down the high street?
Anyway, back to more mundane matters…
Have you heard about any interest in Carlos Baleba or Adam Wharton? (@hhhh_mcfc, X)
City had scouts watching Baleba during one of Brighton’s matches in January and he is a midfielder they are impressed with.
City had scouts watching Carlos Baleba during one of Brighton’s matches in January and he is a midfielder they are impressed with
Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace is somebody who City had flirted with bidding for in January
He’s definitely on a list and he’d be on the list of all of the top clubs. It’s the fee and Brighton’s recent history of tough negotiation though that would serve as warnings.
Gonzalez arriving for £50m from Porto knocks back the idea of Baleba too really, while Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace is somebody who City had flirted with bidding for in January. It never materialised and Real Madrid have attended some of his recent games ahead of the FA Cup final.
What is the club’s view and outlook on players returning from loan such as Callum Doyle, Juma Bah and Maximo Perrone, as well as young talents like Vitor Reis and Claudio Echeverri? (@2eetaxxx, X)
We’ll address Reis and Echeverri first. Reis is being allowed to take his time bedding in – only making three appearances – and the same goes for Echeverri. They’re both still teenagers, born 10 days apart in 2003, and need space to grow into their new surroundings.
City’s plan was to take a look at Echeverri, who joined from River Plate in January, during training this season to determine next steps ahead of 2025-26.
That said, similar had been mooted around Julian Alvarez when he joined and look what happened there.
Echeverri has impressed in sessions and perhaps we’ll see him off the bench at the Club World Cup – especially if McAtee goes to the Under-21 European Championship with England in Slovakia.
Given the likelihood of a defender departing in the summer, you’d imagine Reis sticks around to learn his trade and act as a fourth choice.
Intriguingly, sources suggested that Guardiola was hoping to have a look at Reis as a No 6 in the club’s Under 21s team – but the chronic injury crisis, meaning Reis was needed on the first-team bench more than envisaged, put paid to that idea. Maybe one to look out for next year.
City’s plan was to take a look at Claudio Echeverri, who joined from River Plate in January, during training this season to determine next steps ahead of 2025-26
Guardiola was hoping to have a look at Reis as a No 6 in the club’s Under 21s team – but the chronic injury crisis put paid to that idea
Como, mid table in Serie A, want to keep Maximo Perrone (left). Their official website even labelled him a ‘compass’, the ‘Swiss watch’ who keeps ‘Como ticking’
Como, mid table in Serie A, want to keep Perrone. Their official website even labelled him a ‘compass’, the ‘Swiss watch’ who keeps ‘Como ticking’.
It’s whether City want to maximise value out of the Argentine, who did look good during that cameo at Bournemouth last season.
Doyle is actively wanting a permanent transfer elsewhere this summer. On loan at Norwich City after temporary spells at Leicester City, Coventry City and Sunderland, the 21-year-old is ready to find himself a home.
There will be a few who take a look from abroad, the lower reaches of the Premier League and the Championship – although Doyle’s future will depend on the asking price City set.