Manchester City Transfer News: Pep Guardiola Plans Summer Clear-Out as John Stones, Jack Grealish Among Six Set to Leave
Story Written By OKAFOR Joeph Juy 16,2025
http://six senior playersManchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly planning to trim his squad this summer, with up to six senior players, including long-serving defender John Stones and winger Jack Grealish, potentially on their way out of the Etihad Stadium.
According to The Athletic, Guardiola prefers working with a smaller, more focused squad for the 2025/26 campaign. As a result, several departures are being considered in the ongoing summer transfer window.
John Stones Could Exit After Nine Seasons at City
John Stones, who joined City from Everton in 2016 for £47.5 million, is one of the key players expected to leave. The 31-year-old defender has made 277 appearances for the club and played a major role in their domestic and European dominance, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League.
However, Stones struggled with multiple injuries last season—foot, hip, and hamstring issues—which limited him to just 11 Premier League appearances. With less than 12 months left on his current contract, Manchester City may look to sell him now to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year.
There is growing speculation that Stones could make an emotional return to Everton, the club where he made 95 appearances before joining City. Reports from Football Insider suggest that both Everton and former manager David Moyes are monitoring his situation closely.
Other Players Linked with a Move Away
In addition to Stones, several other players are also being considered for exits. These include:
- Ilkay Gundogan
- Nico O’Reilly
- Mateo Kovacic
- Claudio Echeverri
- Oscar Bobb – who is likely to stay after missing the entire 2024/25 season due to injury
Jack Grealish Transfer Latest
Another high-profile name on the exit list is Jack Grealish, who has fallen out of favor under Guardiola. The 29-year-old made only 20 league appearances last season, scoring one goal and providing one assist. He was also excluded from City’s Club World Cup squad, casting serious doubts over his future at the club.
While Newcastle United have been previously linked, recent reports indicate they are no longer interested. Instead, Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli are said to be leading the race for the England international, who could be available for around £40 million.
With Manchester City aiming to refresh their squad and maintain competitiveness across all competitions, the coming weeks are expected to see multiple changes—potentially bringing an end to the Etihad careers of some of the club’s most recognized names.
