JUST NOW: Haaland confirms his exit stance and De Bruyne set to leave for Saudi as tension arises
The transfer window opened in a low-key manner this week, with attentions firmly on Germany for the start of Euro 2024.
Usually, some clubs have deals lined up to go through as soon as the window opens, but those sort of transfers have been missing this summer. Instead, the summer tournaments in Europe and America will likely see a trickle of deals until players return from Germany or the USA.
However, that doesn’t means clubs aren’t working on building their squads, and Manchester City have already secured Stefan Ortega for another year following his openness to leaving. Erling Haaland’s agent has reaffirmed his transfer stance, while Kevin De Bruyne has left the door firmly open to an exit.
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In terms of player exits, there are a number of City players being linked with new clubs. De Bruyne admitted before the Euros that he would be attracted by the huge wages on offer in Saudi Arabia, with the Belgian soon to turn 33 and with one year left on his City contract. He has already given City far more than the £60m they spent on him all those years ago, but could the prospect of recouping some funds prompt an exit this summer?
City have always told wantaway players to present them with an offer, so that would be the same for De Bruyne should he be serious about leaving. Likewise, Pep Guardiola confirmed there have been no offers for Bernardo Silva when he gave a brief interview this week, and told Barcelona to make an offer if they want to sign him.
Guardiola also touched upon the future of Joao Cancelo, confirming talks would take place between City and Barcelona but that Cancelo would be a part of City’s pre-season squad if no deal is reached. City would surely prefer a sale, but in a summer where clubs may have less money, another loan may have to suffice.
Kalvin Phillips continues to be linked with a move away, Fulham the latest club to be linked with his services after Everton, and he falls under the same category as Cancelo when it comes to pre-season if a sale is not arranged before the tour of the USA.
Sergio Gomez is the subject of interest from Real Sociedad, with reports in Spain claiming talks took place last week between City and the Sociedad president, who flew to England to try and work out a deal. Those reports suggest no agreement could be reached, with City’s £20m asking price too steep for the Spanish side.
Ederson could also be on the move, with Ortega’s new contract complicating the battle for the No.1 spot – although Guardiola is insistent that Ederson remains first choice. He is another who has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
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But one player who isn’t on the move this summer is Erling Haaland, with his agent Rafaela Pimenta confirming this week that he remains ‘1000 per cent’ committed to the City project and is looking forward to the new season. She wouldn’t, however, rule out a move in future saying she doesn’t feel he is necessarily a one club man for the rest of his career.
When it comes to incomings, City continue to be linked with various players – the most high profile being Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. Talk on social media of a £100m bid this week was premature, but it is understood a release clause of that value is now active in the midfielder’s contract for another eight days. After that, if City wanted to sign Guimaraes, they would have to negotiate with Newcastle, who may also be under pressure to sell to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules and the deadline for submitting accounts by the end of June.
If Ederson was to leave, City would need another goalkeeper – with Ortega presumably stepping up to become No.1 – and replacements would also be needed if the likes of De Bruyne and Bernardo left.
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