While Manchester City fans are waiting for the champions to make a substantial move in the transfer window it may be a case of waiting for City to spring to life. There are several players that the champions have to unload this summer. If they do it may unlock City’s ability to spend this summer.
There are question marks surrounding several players who appear not to have a future at Manchester City. Three players immediately appear to be in this situation. Joao Cancelo, Kalvin Phillips and Yan Couto all look to be headed towards an exit from the world champions. If they do depart it may free up squad space and clear up a chunk of City’s wage bill which could help the champions make moves this summer. But where the trio do end up is part of the issue for now.
Joao Cancelo
The future of Joao Cancelo has become uncertain in recent weeks. Cancelo spent last season out on loan at Barcelona. But for now, Cancelo remains at Manchester City. Ciaran McCarthy has reported for TeamTalk that Saudi Pro League clubs Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq are interested in signing Cancelo. McCarthy also reports that Cancelo wants to return to Barcelona next season. Furthermore, McCarthy reports that Barcelona’s current financial situation makes it difficult for the La Liga giants to complete a deal for Cancelo currently.
If Manchester City can convince Cancelo to move to Saudi Arabia it may bring a speedy resolution to the question marks surrounding Cancelo’s future. But as McCarthy’s report suggests Cancelo wishes to return to Barcelona. Their well-documented financial situation means it isn’t a simple deal to complete.
The champions will want a permanent move for Cancelo this summer. That would clear his wages off City’s books and end the annual saga that surrounds his future each summer. It would also be the best move for both parties to see Cancelo leave City on a permanent deal. He doesn’t appear to have a future at the club going forward based on where he has spent the last 18 months of his career.
Yan Couto
Another player whose future appears to be away from the Etihad is Brazilian international Yan Couto. The young right-back spent last season on loan at Girona. His strong form saw him capped for Brazil and has seen him linked with a permanent move away from City this summer.
Sky Germany reporter Patrick Berger has reported that Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Yan Couto. Berger also reports that Dortmund have held talks with the player’s representatives in recent weeks. Lastly, Berger adds that Dortmund are willing to spend between €20-25 million on the Brazilian international.
But there may be a transfer battle looming for Yan Couto. A report from TuttoJuve indicates that Juventus are also interested in signing Couto. A transfer battle between the two clubs would be in Manchester City’s best interests. They will be hoping to sell Couto to the highest bidder so the more clubs that come in for the Brazilian international the better it is for City.
While Yan Couto isn’t a member of City’s first team he is a player whose wages can be cleared from City’s books while they bring in a sizable transfer fee for the player. That would be the ideal situation for Manchester City and one they will be hoping comes to fruition this summer.
Kalvin Phillips
The final player who doesn’t appear to have a future at Manchester City is Kalvin Phillips. Since arriving at the world champions Phillips has failed to make an impact at the club. He spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham but he failed to impress during his time at the club. Based on his underwhelming performances I’ve the past two seasons it may be a difficult task for Manchester City to offload the England international.
SkySports reported in May that Everton had an interest in signing Phillips. But since then it has been quiet in regards to any club being interested in the midfielder.
The champions would be hoping for a permanent deal to get Phillips’s salary off their books. But that may not be a possibility this summer. What the future holds for the former Leeds United midfielder is unknown at this stage. But in an ideal world, the champions would find a buyer for Phillips and both the player and City could move forward.
Summary
Yan Couto, Joao Cancelo and Kalvin Phillips are three players that could leave Manchester City this summer. If they do it may free up the champions to finally make a move during the summer transfer window. While the three players mentioned aren’t regular first-team members their salaries would be better off being taken off City’s books. Whether or not that happens this summer is a different discussion entirely. The future of the trio is yet another story to watch for during the remainder of the summer transfer window.
