Man City transfer news: All the ins and outs as Pep rebuilds for the 2025/26 campaign

Manchester City utilised the summer window to further bolster their world-class squad and focused on specific areas to maximise results for the 2025/26 season. Pep Guardiola is determined to once again lift the Premier League trophy after losing out to Liverpool last season.

Manchester City would also be looking to add to their European trophy collection, with eyes firmly fixed on the UEFA Champions League. The coveted European trophy has evaded the Citizens’ trophy cabinet on multiple occasions in recent years. After Paris Saint-Germain’s recent success, the Middle East-backed City Group would be roaring to once again take the lead against their Qatari counterparts.

Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan was Manchester City’s marquee summer arrival. The Manchester-based club also secured a deadline-day transfer of out-of-favour Paris Saint-Germain star, Gianluigi Donnarumma. We at Essential Football have reviewed all of the Citizens’ transfer activities during the summer, ahead of a crucial season for Pep Guardiola.

New Manchester City transfer signings at the Etihad Stadium

Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri were the first arrivals of the summer period. Manchester City secured the services of these three players ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in a bid to win the inaugural edition of the tournament.

Pep Guardiola wanted a change of guard in goal and went after not one but two goalkeepers during the summer, adding the likes of James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma to his arsenal.

The Spanish boss will be convinced his side is ready to challenge for silverware again, having sorted out issues at the left-back position, midfield (post-departure of Kevin de Bruyne) and in between the sticks over the course of the summer.

Player	Team	Fee
Rayan Ait-Nouri	Wolverhampton Wanderers	£31m
Marcus Bettinelli	Chelsea	Undisclosed
Rayan Cherki	Lyon	£30.5m
Tijjani Reijnders	AC Milan	£46.5m
Sverre Nypan	Rosenborg	£12.5m
James Trafford	Burnley	£31m
Gianluigi Donnarumma	Paris Saint-Germain	£26m
		Total = £177.5m

Manchester City transfer departures from the Etihad Stadium

The Citizens were active in the selling market and did not let emotions come in their way of transfer business. Decorated and celebrated players like Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, and Ederson were all allowed to head for the exit doors at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City were able to recoup money in the market with the sales of James McAtee to Nottingham Forest for £30 million and Yan Couto to Borussia Dortmund for £21 million.

Jack Grealish will get another chance at life in the Premier League with his loan move to Everton, whereas fellow loanee, Manuel Akanji, will seek to redeem himself in the Italian capital with Inter Milan. Eight players have been sent out on loan by the Manchester City management, and might play a part in the club’s success in the future.

Player	Team	Fee/Details
Kevin De Bruyne	Napoli	Free
Kyle Walker	Burnley	£5m
Ilkay Gundogan	Galatasaray	Free
Ederson	Fenerbahce	Undisclosed
James McAtee	Nottingham Forest	£30m
Scott Carson	–	Free
Yan Couto	Borussia Dortmund	£21m
Maximo Perrone	Como	£13m
Jacob Wright	Norwich City	£2.3m
Callum Doyle	Wrexham	Undisclosed
Kayky	Bahia	Undisclosed
Manuel Akanji	Inter Milan	Loan
Jack Grealish	Everton	Loan
Claudio Echeverri	Bayer Leverkusen	Loan
Vitor Reis	Girona	Loan
Juma Bah	Nice	Loan
Divin Mubama	Stoke City	Loan
Finley Burns	Reading	Loan
Oliver Whatmuff	Rochdale	Loan

The Citizens look poised to compete and win the biggest trophies this season, including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. Pep Guardiola has addressed all the weak links in his team over the summer, and Manchester City will be a daunting opponent for all sides this season.

The strategic recruitments have not yet reaped the fruits for Manchester City, with Pep’s team only picking up three points from their opening exchanges in the Premier League. Following the international break, Guardiola & Co. will be facing off against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

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