In the end, Manchester City achieved what they needed to in the summer transfer window

Manchester City had serious work to do in the summer transfer window when it opened on the 15th of June. Bernardo Silva and John Stones had departed the club when their contracts expired and it was expected that City would sell a plethora of players who wouldn’t likely play prominent roles under Enzo Maresca or who sought new challenges or better first team opportunities elsewhere. Also, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders needed to bolster their midfield this summer and add quality up front.

In the end, Manchester City achieved their goal of bolstering their squad. While the summer transfer window remains open for a few more hours, Manchester City’s work is done and the picture they attempted to paint has become crystal clear.

The sales that Manchester City made were necessary and freed up space in their squad and provide the funds for City to go all out this summer.

Manchester City raised significant funds through the sales of a host of players this summer. Bernardo Silva and John Stones departed City when their contracts expired. Omar Marmoush completed a loan move to Tottenham with an obligation to buy included in the deal. City sold Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, James Trafford, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Nico Gonzalez, who were all regular members of Pep Guardiola’s squad last season.

Divin Mubama, Divine Mukasa, Max Alleyne, Christian McFarlane, Stephen Mfuni, Sverre Nypan, Oliver Whatmuff, Jaden Heskey and Charlie Gray and new signings Pierce Charles and Jeremy Monga were all loaned out by City in strategic moves to aid their growth and development as players.

Adding in the sales of Issa Kabore, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Reigan Heskey, courtesy of figures sourced from Squawka, Manchester City raised £290 million from player sales. Omar Marmoush’s loan deal to Tottenham includes a £50 million obligation to buy clause plus £10 million in add-ons as reported by Fabrizio Romano.

Some of the sales that City made were recognition that previous transfer moves hadn’t panned out.

The player departures were moves that City had to make. Manchester City’s signings of Omar Marmoush, Savinho, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez hadn’t worked out as planned. Perhaps the four players named just weren’t up to the standard that City required in their rebuild. You could mount a solid argument that Nico Gonzalez wasn’t given the opportunities he perhaps deserved by Pep Guardiola and Enzo Maresca. However, there was something with the Spanish midfielder that saw City eventually sanction his sale to Newcastle United.

In an ideal world, Manchester City would have kept Rodri and James Trafford. However, James Trafford wanted the opportunity to be the first-choice keeper elsewhere. Rodri wanted to return to Spain and eventually he got his wish. However, the funds raised by their sales helped facilitate Manchester City’s squad refit this summer.

City went big to improve Enzo Maresca’s squad which is exactly what was necessary.

Manchester City had to spend big this summer to bolster their midfield. They really had no choice to replace club legends such as Bernardo Silva and Rodri. City paid £116 million to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. City paid up to £85 million to sign the 18-year-old midfield sensation from Lille. As per David Ornstein’s report for The Athletic, will pay Chelsea £125 million to sign Enzo Fernandez. Yes, City paid a premium to sign Anderson, Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez (assuming the signing of Enzo Fernandez doesn’t fall through). They simply had to as they needed to add proven quality and pedigree to their midfield. They’ve achieved the goal of rebuilding their midfield, and City’s plethora of sales helped achieve this goal.

🤯💰 After signing Enzo Fernandez, Manchester City will have spent OVER £300 MILLION in midfield this summer. pic.twitter.com/Uy06tJLpiU

— FotMob (@FotMob) September 1, 2026

Manchester City also signed Brazilian winger Allan from Palmeiras. The 22-year-old Brazilian is expected to add cover on the right wing for Enzo Maresca. This was a move that City had to make. Senegalese international Iliman Ndiaye is also on the verge of finalising a move from Everton to City and he will add depth, quality and versatility to City’s front line. Those two moves could prove to be smart signings by City.

City also signed experienced goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli from Marseille. Rulli will be Donnarumma’s backup and could be a clever signing. City also signed young wingers Mathys Detourbet, Jeremy Monga and young goalkeeper Pierce Charles. Those three signings were made with an eye on the future by Manchester City.

Conclusion.

The 2026 summer transfer window was eventful and took time to come together for Manchester City. Due to the World Cup happening in the middle of the summer, City’s bid to bolster their squad took more time than anticipated. In an ideal world, City wouldn’t have wanted to sign Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye on deadline day. But that is what has transpired.

Manchester City’s goal this summer was to significantly bolster their squad, with the midfield being the major priority. They achieved their goal and have also added quality to their attack. It took time to get there but the picture that City wanted to paint is now clear. Enzo Maresca has the options in his squad he desires to push forward with.

Looking at the entire summer transfer window that has taken place for Manchester City, their squad does look more complete and well-rounded than it did when the 2025-26 season concluded. Where that takes this City side will play out during the 2026-27 season. But what City do not lack is quality throughout their squad, so on first glance the 2026 summer transfer window is a big tick for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders.