Man City Ready to Cut Ties with Two Winter Recruits After Just Six Months
Manchester City may consider sending two of their newest signings out on loan during the upcoming summer transfer window, according to fresh reports, as Pep Guardiola continues reshaping his squad.
After witnessing their 2024–25 campaign take a concerning downturn during November and December, City invested approximately £172.2 million ($234.6 million) on four new players in January—Abdukhodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush, and Nico González. An additional four signings—Rayan Aït-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Cherki, and Tijjani Reijnders—joined during the early summer period for a combined £112.1 million ($152.2 million).
Ex-River Plate prospect Claudio Echeverri had also completed his move to City in January, twelve months after the transfer agreement was finalized. The young player surprisingly featured in the FA Cup final the previous month.
However, The Athletic suggests that both Echeverri and Reis might be sent out on temporary deals.
Both South American prospects remain teenagers at 19 years old, and securing regular playing time at another club temporarily, instead of accepting limited roles in Manchester, could prove more beneficial for their long-term progression.
The Athletic's report indicates that defender Reis's circumstances may hinge on "other movements."
City presently possess Rúben Dias, Nathan Aké, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, and the previously mentioned Khusanov, who demonstrated greater immediate influence upon his mid-season arrival. Questions have emerged regarding Stones's future following an injury-plagued season, though the experienced England defender has voiced his intention to remain.
Echeverri encounters comparable competition for playing opportunities. The Argentine typically operates as a winger or attacking midfielder and actually found the net during his 45-minute appearance in Monday evening's 6–0 Club World Cup victory against Al Ain. Nevertheless, Echeverri was substituted by Phil Foden at the interval, and must compete with Jérémy Doku, Nico O'Reilly, Savinho, Oscar Bobb, Marmoush, and Cherki for valuable minutes.