According to The Mirror, Manchester City are preparing for a late flurry of transfer activity as they look to trim their squad ahead of the summer window closing on September 1. The move comes in response to UEFA’s strict Champions League regulations, which allow clubs to register a maximum of 25 players on their “A List.”
With Pep Guardiola’s side already stacked after a busy summer of signings, several players are now on the chopping block to free up space in the squad.
Big Names Facing Exit
Sources suggest that Jack Grealish, James McAtee, Kalvin Phillips, and Stefan Ortega are among those who could be moved on, alongside a handful of younger players. The club is open to both permanent and loan deals, provided they receive the right offers.
Everton are reportedly pushing to bring in Grealish on loan in a bid to add creativity and width to their attack. The England winger, who has struggled for consistent game time at the Etihad, is understood to be open to the move as he seeks a fresh start to reignite his career.
Midfielder James McAtee, valued at around £40 million, has drawn interest from Nottingham Forest and Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt. Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping tabs on the 21-year-old after losing James Maddison to a serious injury.
Goalkeeper Ortega could return to the Bundesliga, while Phillips is tipped for a reunion with former club Leeds United in the Championship. Young defender Vitor Reis has already sealed a switch to La Liga side Girona to gain more first-team experience, and winger Savinho is in advanced talks over a potential move to Spurs.
A Busy Summer of Recruitment
Manchester City’s need to offload players stems from an aggressive recruitment drive in recent months. The Premier League champions have secured the signings of French talent Rayan Cherki, Algerian full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, Norwegian forward Sverre Nypan, and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. They also exercised a £27 million buy-back clause to re-sign academy graduate James Trafford from Burnley.
This influx of talent has left Guardiola with an enviable depth chart — but also the headache of making high-profile cuts to comply with UEFA’s roster limits.
Final Preparations Before Kick-Off
City rounded off their pre-season in style on August 10 with a 3-0 win over Serie B side Palermo, showing sharpness and cohesion ahead of their Premier League opener. Several new signings featured in the match, offering fans an early glimpse of how the squad could evolve this season.
The champions kick off their 2025/26 league campaign on August 16 away to Wolves. But until the transfer window slams shut, all eyes will be on Etihad Stadium as Guardiola and the City hierarchy make the tough calls needed to finalise their Champions League squad.
