As the second week of August approaches, City have made just one signing so far: Elliot Anderson, who is expected to go straight into the starting XI this season.
The Nottingham Forest fee for the England international is a club-record £116m, with the 23-year-old widely seen as the replacement for Bernardo Silva, who left at the end of his deal to join Real Madrid.
Teenage winger Jeremy Monga, signed from Leicester, could see minutes with the academy, while goalkeeper Pierce Charles and winger Mathys Detourbet were loaned out immediately after arriving.
On Tuesday, new boss Enzo Maresca said director of football Hugo Viana and chief executive Ferran Soriano had travelled to South Korea, where the squad are in pre-season, and the Italian admitted “we need to do something” in terms of transfers.
Although there is recognition they have been quieter than planned, senior City figures insist they are relaxed about the situation and have full trust in their recruitment strategy.
They also point to Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi as long-term targets who were brought in during January—moves accelerated from this summer—and both have made a strong early impact.
The squad is considered “young” and “exciting” after winning both domestic cups last season, and 20-year-old Brazilian Vitor Reis has returned from a season on loan at Girona and is expected to be part of the first team.
On potential exits, Rodri has yet to sign a new contract and is attracting interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, while fellow midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is likely to depart and has interest from Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, BBC Sport said last month that winger Savinho is open to leaving, with Tottenham exploring a move, though nothing has progressed.
If departures occur, the plan—as it stands—is to bring in replacements.
There is interest in Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, while talks continue for Lille’s Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Despite limited movement, there is a sense of calm among the hierarchy at the Etihad.