In an era when Manchester City’s squad depth rivals an all-star ensemble, the question who should Manchester City sell becomes a delicate balance of ambition, finances, and squad harmony. As Pep Guardiola rewrites systems and demands relentless performance, some established names may no longer fit the blueprint. In this article, QuraGoal will walk you through who looks most expendable — and why — in City’s ambitious reshaping.
The Context: A Squad in Flux
After a somewhat underwhelming 2024–25 season by City’s lofty standards, the club has triggered one of its most aggressive summer overhauls. Over 30 players departed across first-team, academy, and loan deals, signaling Guardiola and sporting directors want leaner efficiency, not redundancy.
Several pillars of the squad are already gone: Kevin De Bruyne has exited as a free agent, leaving a creativity void to fill. Meanwhile, stalwarts such as Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan, and John Stones have all been linked with moves away, underlining how far City are willing to go.
The squad that remains is overflowing with talent, which creates overlapping options in attacking, midfield, defense, and between the posts. Financially, City still carry heavy wage commitments, and UEFA’s financial regulations require prudent trimming. The question, then, is not just who can be sold — but who should be.
Here are the key candidates for exit (or loan) in the near future — and the arguments for each.
Top Candidates to Sell
1. Jack Grealish
- Why sell? Grealish’s impact has drifted since his £100 million arrival. He finds himself behind younger, hungrier attacking options. The club reportedly even considered a loan move due to lack of offers in a permanent deal.
- Risks in selling: He remains a marquee name who draws eyes, and in injury crises his experience could be useful.
- Verdict: A sale or long-term loan would make sense; his value is moderate, and the squad can absorb his exit.
2. Bernardo Silva
- Why sell? At 31 and with interest.
- Risks in selling: Bernardo still delivers high-quality performances; letting him go could weaken midfield resilience and control in big matches.
- Verdict: If solid offers arrive, City should seriously weigh selling — but only after lining up replacement depth.
3. Ilkay Gundogan
- Why sell? He’s already reported to be departing, and with younger energy in midfield arriving, his playing time would likely shrink.
- Risks in selling: Gundogan brings tactical versatility and experience in clutch European ties.
- Verdict: Move him on. It’s a graceful exit toward sunset, and one that frees wages and squad space.
4. John Stones / Manuel Akanji
- Why sell? The defensive department is crowded: Stones, Akanji, Mendy, Gvardiol, and newcomers. Stones, in particular, has been linked with a move.
- Risks in selling: Defensive pairing stability suffers. Depth is crucial for grit across multiple competitions.
- Verdict: One of the two should go. Stones is likelier, given his age and inconsistent form.
5. Kyle Walker
- Why sell? His age (mid-30s) and loan spells make him less central. City reportedly remain open to moving him.
- Risks in selling: His leadership, experience, and adaptability (RB/LB) are valuable buffer assets.
- Verdict: If a suitable offer arises (especially abroad), City should be open — but not rush it.
6. Ederson / Stefan Ortega
- Why sell? Ederson is aging and linked to a move; Ortega is more backup than first-choice. City brought in Gianluigi Donnarumma, signaling a reshuffle in goal.
- Risks in selling: A goalkeeping crisis due to injury would be catastrophic.
- Verdict: Ederson may be sold, Ortega loaned; but goalkeeping stability must be secured first.
7. Mateo Kovacic / Squad Midfielders
- Why sell? Kovacic has often been an understudy; with more midfield recruits coming, his minutes may shrink.
- Risks in selling: Depth in midfield is still essential, especially with injuries and rotation.
- Verdict: He’s a logical sale candidate — at the right price and with alternative cover assured.
8. Jeremy Doku / Fringe Attackers
- Why sell/loan? Doku has struggled for regular impact, and peripheral forwards may benefit.
- Risks in selling: Losing attacking flexibility and unused raw potential.
- Verdict: Best handled via loan or partial sale; City should retain options to repurchase.
Strategic Principles Behind Choosing Who Leaves
A. Wage relief and value depreciation
Letting go of the highest earners (Grealish, Bernardo, Stones) can free up the budget to reinvest in top signings or renew core contracts.
B. Squad balance and positional overlap
City must avoid redundancy. If two high-end center-backs, full-backs, or attacking midfielders are fighting for the same spot, letting one go strengthens clarity.
C. Age curve and resale window
Younger players or those under contract for several years offer more flexibility; older stars with limited future resale value become liabilities.
D. Tactical fit under new identity
Pep Guardiola’s system evolves, and not every stalwart fits the new shape. Performance, mobility, and tactical adaptability matter more than legacy.
A Balanced Sell-Or-Keep Table
| Player | Likelihood of Sale | Key Reason | Risk if Sold |
| Jack Grealish | High | Declining influence, salary burden | Reduced winger depth |
| Bernardo Silva | Medium-High | Ageing, contract, interest | Loss of midfield balance |
| Ilkay Gundogan | High | End-of-era, surplus | Loss of experience |
| John Stones / Akanji | Medium | Surplus center-backs | Weakening defensive options |
| Kyle Walker | Medium | Past peak, loaned | Leadership gap |
| Ederson / Ortega | Medium | Goalkeeper rebuild | Risk of instability |
| Mateo Kovacic | Medium | Underutilized | Loss of depth |
| Jeremy Doku / fringe | Medium | No consistent impact | Potential wasted development |
This matrix gives a sense of how City might prioritize departures in the short term.
Timing and Replacement Strategy
City should not offload before acquiring suitable replacements. For example:
- Sell Bernardo Silva only if Reijnders, Cherki, Gonzalez, or others can step up immediately.
- Sell Stones once Gvardiol, Akanji, Mendy rotate well.
- Sell Ederson only after Donnarumma is thoroughly integrated and backup ready.
Furthermore, staggered exits ensure the squad isn’t left exposed mid-season. Some deals may wait until January, allowing performance benchmarking.
Conclusion
Who should Manchester City sell is a question won’t be answered by sentimental loyalty or headline names — it’s about optimizing performance, finances, and strategic evolution. Grealish, Gundogan, Stones, and Ederson stand out as the strongest sale candidates, provided replacements are lined up. Yet every decision must be surgical: City cannot afford weak links in their pursuit of trophies.
In making these decisions, QuraGoal urges readers to keep watch on how City juggle sacrifices and reinforcements. If you enjoyed this deep dive, stay tuned for player profiles, rumor tracking, and match analysis.
